Meghan Markle says an emotional goodbye to the U.K. before heading home to Canada

They may have a few weeks left until their official exit from royal life, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are already saying their goodbyes to their former life. The couple were in the U.K. this past week to attend their final events as fulltime working members of the royal family and did their best to put on brave faces while enduring several painful goodbyes and tense family interactions.Harper’s Bazaar’s Royal Editor-At-Large Omid Scobie has been with the Duke and Duchess for the past two and a half years, following the couple’s growing romance and their efforts to use their platforms in order to improve the lives of people around the world. Scobie was with Meghan for her final official royal engagement on Wednesday and wrote that Meghan’s brave face was one that was protecting a hurt and heartbroken Duchess.[video_embed id='1918143']RELATED: Harry and Meghan attend their last official duties as Royals[/video_embed]Meghan was at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to celebrate the 22 students who received scholarships from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Meghan was there as the ACU’s royal patron, a role she took over from the Queen last year. This is one of the four royal patronages that Meghan will continue to oversee even after the March 31^st exit. “The value and importance of higher education is why it should be accessible to everyone, no matter your background,” Meghan told the crowd, knowing firsthand the importance of scholarship as she herself is a scholarship recipient.

 

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Earlier this week The Duchess of Sussex, in her role as Patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), met with the bright minds from across the Commonwealth to hear about their commitment to tackling the global challenges we all face. The Duchess spoke with Scholars studying and researching important areas surrounding; cleaning up plastic pollution in our oceans, helping to build more sustainable cities, improving health outcomes for citizens, and supporting decent work and economic growth. Paving the way as the next generation of leaders, these inspirational scholars, are spread far across the Commonwealth from Malawi to Malaysia, Ghana to Sri Lanka – all of whom will use the skills and knowledge they gain while studying in the UK to make a difference when they return to their home countries. The Duchess, who also attended university with support of a scholarship, is a strong advocate of accessible education for all. As the Royal Patron of The Association of Commonwealth Universities (@The_ACU_Official) since January 2019, The Duchess has met and engaged with students, academics, and staff from ACU member universities across the Commonwealth to learn more about the vital work they do to address global challenges. As President and Vice President of The @Queens_Commonwealth_Trust, The Duke and Duchess thank all those who are working to give access to education for all.

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As noted by Scobie, Markle was engaged with all 22 scholarship winners, having familiarized herself with each student's area of academic interest in order to be able to converse beyond a surface level. “I think it’s so important to actually engage with people,” said Meghan. “I care about these things!”Having to step away from many of their roles has been painful, and Harry’s final appearance in his Royal Marines uniform during Saturday’s Mountbatten Festival of Music was especially difficult. After serving two tours in Afghanistan and spending 10 years in the military, the couple’s exit means Harry has been forced to give up his military honours, something sources close to the couple say has been especially painful.

 

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Tonight, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the annual Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall — marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 80th anniversary of the formation of Britain’s Commandos. The Duke, who is Captain General @RoyalMarines joined veterans, serving members, world-class musicians, composers and conductors of the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines to help raise funds on behalf of the @RoyalMarines Charity. #MFM2020 Photo © The Duke and Duchess of Sussex / Chris Allerton

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Following Meghan’s meeting with the ACU scholarship recipients, the Duchess was leaving on the last commercial flight of the day to reunite with baby Archie, who remained back in the family’s new home of Vancouver Island. Once the students had left the room and Meghan was alone with Scobie and her former staffers, she was free to finally release her feelings and cry. Heartbroken to be leaving the royal family this way, the couple are reportedly trying to focus on their future and their continued commitment to their causes. “The terrain may be a little different but their priorities are exactly the same as before,” says a source close to the Duke and Duchess. “Keeping the family, most importantly Archie, safe is what will make all of this worth it.”[video_embed id='1919621']RELATED: Why we may not see Harry & Meghan for a while[/video_embed]