Pop Culture dictionary
Megxit
or Megexit [ meg-zit ]
ºÚÁÏÍø does Megxit mean?
Megxit is a slang term for the decision of couple Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to step back from their senior roles in the British royal family.
Where does Megxit come from?
On January 8, 2020, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, announced on Instagram that they “intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.” In the post, the couple also indicated they aim to become financially independent and split their time between North America and the UK.
This decision—which was met with a range of reactions, from shock to cheers to criticism to anger—was quickly dubbed Megxit by British tabloidÌýThe Sun. The term (along with many other such formations) riffs on Brexit, the probable withdrawal (exit) of the UK from the European Union.
Tomorrow's front page: Queen ‘deeply upset’ at Harry and Meghan’s Royal exit sparking ‘civil war’ – with Charles and Wills ‘incadescent with rage’
— The Sun (@TheSun)
The Sun wasn’t the first to blend Meghan and exit into Megxit, however. On social media in 2018–19, some used ²Ñ±ð²µ³æ¾±³ÙÌýto insult Meghan Markle and express a desire for her to leave the British royal family. Some of these insults appear to have a racist and sexist character. British tabloids have been widely accused of such racism and sexism in their treatment of Markle—which many attribute as motivating, in part, the couple’s desire for a more private life.
The Megxit again became primetime news in early March of 2021. On March 7, CBS released an exclusive interview of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by Oprah Winfrey. During the interview, Winfrey repeatedly used the word Megxit to refer to the couple’s decision. The interview was the first given by the couple since the so-called Megxit and revealed many shocking details about their treatment by the royal family and their decision to split from the family. The couple revealed scandalous bombshells about the royal family, such as Prince Harry’s friction with his father, Prince Charles, a general lack of support from the royal family, the royals expressing concerns about their baby’s skin tone, and Markle having suffered from suicidal thoughts.
: We’ve seen in the press that you’re responsible for this Megxit. It was all intentional to build your brand. : That’s absurd. I left my career, my life, I left everything because i love him.
— Kristen Meinzer (@kristenmeinzer)
Examples of Megxit
Who uses Megxit?
Megxit spread as a shorthand for Markle and Harry’s decision to step back from their senior royal roles and duties in the press and on social media, where it is often used as the hashtag #Megxit—and used to voice the many opinions people have about Markle and Harry.
Seeing the press reaction to Megan and Harry’s announcement, just confirms why they’re right to step away. Good luck to them.
— TOBY STEPHENS (@TobyStephensInV)
I say good for them… ºÚÁÏÍø do you think?
— Bruno Tonioli (@BrunoTonioli)
Megxit is also used in various humorous observations on the event. Others have proposed Sussexit as another Brexit-inspired name for the decision.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Megxit like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Megxit that will help our users expand their word mastery.