Meghan Markle’s secret 2019 NYC trip revealed, she sought safety amidst Royal pressures

Meghan Markle has revealed that during her tenure as a senior working royal, she made a secret trip to New York City in 2019 to find "safety" from the pressures of royal life. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, shared at a recent event in Montecito that she went incognito to watch her friend Serena Williams play in the U.S. Open. During the trip, she visited a bookstore in search of the solace she craved amidst the overwhelming scrutiny she faced as a member of the British royal family.

"For me, sneaking to New York five years ago was a really big deal," Meghan said, recounting her time as a working royal. "I was still so uncomfortable being out in the world. The safety of what I was craving, I knew I could find in a bookstore."

At the time, Meghan and Prince Harry were still carrying out royal duties, but just months later, they would announce their decision to step back from their roles. The couple moved to California in 2020, leaving behind their official royal responsibilities. Meghan’s candid reflection offers new insight into the struggles she faced as a public figure, including the media scrutiny and pressure that later contributed to their royal exit.

The Duchess of Sussex, who now resides in Montecito with Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was attending the opening of a local bookstore when she made the comments. The new bookstore, named "Godmothers," was co-founded by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and entrepreneur Victoria Jackson. The event was attended by a star-studded guest list, including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and other A-listers.

Meghan and Harry, who have settled into their lives in California, have often spoken about the challenges they faced as royals. During a 2021 interview with Oprah, Meghan revealed that she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her time in the royal family, further emphasizing the weight of the expectations placed upon her.