Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Gain Sympathy From Princess Akshita Amid Royal Exit

Princess Akshita Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj, India, has revealed that she understands why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prioritized their family and mental health and opted to leave the pageantry of royal life behind.

However, she said she would never abandon her royal duties, noting being born into royal family generations is a blessing especially when India gained independence in 1947, during which her lineage lost official titles, the Insider reported.

"I hit the jackpot choosing this family to be born in," the Princess, who grew up in Calcutta, said. "I never felt I had to be someone different or someone else to portray a certain image."

After studying in New York City's Bard College, the descendant of India's Bhanja dynasty and Nepal's royal family returned in 2016 to assist her sister, Princess Mrinalika, in restoring and converting Belgadia Palace, a 200-year-old family estate, into a boutique hotel to carry on the family legacy.

She would offer her take on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit in early 2020, something she said she respects. The Indian royal figure then offered her praises to the couple, who continue to use their platform and their non-profit foundation, Archewell, to support and champion important causes.

According to the great-granddaughter of the late King Tribhuvan of Nepal, the royal life just got tougher and tougher for the Sussexes, offering her sympathy to Harry, who she said essentially lived in a "golden cage” being born into the British royal family, the Daily Star noted.

"I can imagine how suffocating it could be to live that life continuously, and have people hold you to a standard, which is impossible," Akshita said. "I can imagine how suffocating it could be to live that life continuously, and have people hold you to a standard, which is impossible."

"When you're royalty, your moral compass has to be very strong." she continued, noting there is something very human in Markle and Harry. "When you take away all of this, you realize these are individuals who are trying to do the best they can for their family.”

Accordingly, Akshita reflected on how her upbringing and ancestry instilled a sense of gratitude for her privilege, which she used to be involved with humanitarian work.

The great-granddaughter of the late King Tribhuvan of Nepal works for an Artificial Intelligence non-profit and raises awareness about conservation. In 2021, her prestige also helped direct public attention to the fires in Similipal National Park, a 2,750 km² tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha.