‘How could they hurt the Queen now?’
Fury over the Sussexes’ la test move
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to leave the royal family has received a mixed reception. And in a new twist, their blunt statement about their future – which came while Harry’s grandfather Prince Philip was in hospital – has caused hurt and anger. A Buckingham Palace statement on 19 February confirmed the pair would “not be returning as working members of the royal family”, while making sure to say that “the duke and duchess remained much-loved members of the family”. The 94-yearold monarch also announced that the pair would lose their royal patronages, including a range of military, Commonwealth, arts and sporting organisations.
“Following conversations with the duke, the Queen has written confirming that, in stepping away from the work of the royal family, it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” the palace spokesperson said. “The honorary military appointments and royal patronages held by the duke and duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of the royal family.”
The Queen’s decision – ahead of the end of their “Megxit” transition period on 31 March – is said to have come as a bitter blow to Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, who had hoped that they could continue with their affiliations despite living their new life in America and being financially independent. Within three minutes of the Queen’s statement, they gave a stinging reply via their spokesperson, saying, “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the duke and duchess remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented, regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.” The wording caused shockwaves, with commentators calling it “rude” and “impertinent” to the Queen by its pointed swipe about universal service. Columnist Sarah Vine said, “The idea that they should preach to the Queen – a woman who has dedicated her entire life to duty and service, often to the detriment of her own personal happiness – is extraordinary. How dare they lecture her about duty.” Fellow royal expert Camilla Tominey added, “I do not think the Queen, who has devoted her whole life to duty, needs to be lectured on service by anyone, not least when her 99-year-old husband remains in hospital.”
William, 38, is also said to be furious and saddened by their parting shot, with reports he found their statement “insulting, disrespectful and petulant”. An insider told The Times that he was left “really sad and genuinely shocked” and is “very
‘No one, it seems, is a winner’
upset by what has happened”, adding, “Once he got over the anger of how things happened, he was left with the absence of his brother. He’ll miss it forever.” Wills was originally set to succeed his younger brother as patron of the Royal Marines, but this was thought to be too contentious and controversial, so Princess Anne, 69, is “poised to take over” Harry’s role instead. The new positions have yet to be confirmed.
Harry and Meghan’s decision to officially cut ties with the royal family comes just days after their “no-holds-barred” TV interview with Oprah Winfrey was announced – which they kept a secret from the Queen. Their decision reportedly left her “blindsided”. The tell-all chat, in which no topic is said to be “off limits”, is believed to have been re-shot and edited to include the latest developments in the royal rift before it airs in the US on 7 March. The couple, who also recently revealed that they are expecting a sibling for their 21-month-old son Archie, have already signed lucrative multi-million deals with Netflix and Spotify. However, their big moment could be overshadowed by the Queen, who will make a rare televised address to mark Commonwealth Day, just hours before the interview is aired. She will be joined by Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William and Kate, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex in a show of unity on
A Celebration Of Commonwealth Day, hosted by Anita Rani.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan gave a hint of a baby bump last week, as they appeared in a promotional video for their Spotify podcast Archewell Audio.
Despite opting to be officially out of the royal fold, the Sussexes plan to return to the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June next year, according to reports. But experts predict that the rift shows no sign of abating, with royal reporter Rhiannon Mills saying, “The announcement confirmed that the split was final, and no one, it seems, is a winner in all this.”