Prince Harry and British actress and model Cressida Bonas had all the ingredients of a fairytale romance, so royal watchers were already wagering on whether they would eventually get hitched. However, after roughly two years together, they quietly parted ways in 2014. The break-up was neither public nor an event, but it does leave many wondering what, in part, broke apart this royal and a rising star.
The introduction of Harry and Cressida by Princess Eugenie in 2012 proved successful, as they soon formed a strong connection. Although they did attend public events together (charity and theatre events), they generally kept their relationship under the radar even with the interest growing in their low profile. There were, however, some issues growing for the pair that would ultimately destroy their love.
Public Exposure and Priorities
According to several reports and then comments from both sides, the main strain in their relationship was from the pressures of royal life. Reports say Cressida Bonas was still in the early stages of her acting career and it was very hard for her to adjust to the constant media storm that came along with dating a member of the British royal family.
As their relationship became more serious, media coverage of her romantic life began to escalate. Friends of Bonas said she started to panic about no longer having any privacy or the expectations of becoming part of the royal family. Apparently the idea of giving up her acting career and life to live under a constant media spotlight and the circumstances that come along with be a part of the royal family was not acceptable to her.
At this point, Prince Harry, who was now approaching 30, was starting to think about settling down seriously and while he had much respect for Cressida and care for her, the two were starting to go their separate ways. He was on the one hand firmly anchored by royal obligations, while she was (relatively speaking) unable to take hold of her creative interests and professional ambitions.
In Harry's 2023 memoir Spare, he described Cressida as "funny, free-hearted and cool," and recognized that she was having doubts about whether she was capable of the royal life. He said that the pressure of the public and the media was a factor in their breakup. Although he did not go into details he effectively confirmed what so many had conjectured about for years: that Cressida decided to stop the relationship because she was not liking the pressures of royal life.
After the break up and much to their credit, on both their parts, they moved on without any public controversy. Cressida married property investor Harry Wentworth-Stanley in 2020. Cressida and Harry welcomed their first child in 2022. Since, Cressida has done a few acting jobs but has kept a lower profile in the public domain.
In 2018, Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle, and the two now live in the United States with their two children, after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020.
The relationship between Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas may not have lasted, but it will be recalled as being quietly dignified and healthy. The respect with which they decided to split was based on personal growth and self-awareness, not some kind of conflict or scandal and I think that is meaningful."
Source(Image / Thumbnail): indiatoday.in
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