Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn’t have the easiest time as a married couple in the royal family. The two eventually distanced themselves from the rest of the royals by moving to California, where they remain today, and they haven’t been back as a couple in almost two years.

But Meghan seemingly knew that she would have a tough time in the royal family because Harry once clued her in that things would not be “easy” for the future Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day in 2018Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day in 2018 | Ben Birchall/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Prince Harry warned Meghan Markle about royal life

Love is love, so Meghan was willing to take on any challenge if it meant she could be with her husband. But when Harry and Meghan wed, things only became increasingly difficult for them in the royal family. Tensions rose between Harry and his brother, Prince William, and the press wasn’t always kind to Meghan. The difficulties forced Harry and Meghan out, and now, they hardly have a relationship with the royals.

But Harry did once warn Meghan that royal life would not be easy. During the couple’s engagement interview, Harry opened up about telling Meghan of the difficulties that would be associated with their relationship; however, he admitted that he was “unprepared” for how bad it would actually be.

“I think you can have as many conversations as you want and try and prepare as much as possible,” Harry said of Meghan joining the royal family, according to Express. “But we were totally unprepared for what happened after that. I still have to have some pretty frank conversations with her to say, you know, ‘What you’re letting yourself in for … it’s a big deal and it’s not … easy for anybody.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are raising their children differently

Harry and Meghan’s kids received the royal titles of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet once their grandfather, King Charles, became king. But that doesn’t mean they’re being raised like a prince and princess. The two children live in California with Harry and Meghan, and while they’re known as prince and princess, that’s about as royal as they get. The two kids don’t have a face-to-face relationship with any royal family members, and they don’t attend any royal events. They have never experienced a Trooping the Colour, a royal Christmas, or any other annual celebrations and likely never will.

Harry and Meghan seemingly want to raise their children away from the royal spotlight due to the impact it’s had on Harry through the years, so it’s possible that the kids might never have a relationship with their relatives.