Rift deepens
Harry and Meghan allies claim they’ve ‘single-handedly modernised the monarchy’
FRIENDS of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have accused the Royal Family of not giving them the recognition they deserve.
In an astonishing attack, sources claimed Harry and Meghan have “single-handedly modernised the monarchy” yet advisers remain incapable of “harnessing their value”.
It followed a row over the couple’s comments in a TV documentary on Sunday, in which they spoke of their “struggle” with life in the public eye.
And it came as Meghan, 38, was last night seen for the first time since the ITV show aired, smiling as she attended the One Young World Summit opening ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Max Foster, an anchor and royal correspondent for US news network CNN, said a source close to the Sussexes told him: “The institution around the Royal Family is full of people afraid of and inexperienced at how to best help harness and deploy the value of the royal couple who, they said, ‘have single-handedly modernised the monarchy’.”
Buckingham Palace aides last night refused to comment – but the news sent shockwaves through the various households.
The Mirror revealed yesterday that senior royals believed Harry and Meghan were “in a moment of crisis” after their candid comments aired on Sunday, in a documentary covering their recent tour.
Harry, 35, has finally confirmed rumours of a rift with brother Prince William that palace aides had been at pains to deny. Speaking to ITV news anchor Tom Bradby, who he has been friends with for nearly 20 years, he said: “Part of this role and part of this job and this family being under the pressure that it’s under inevitably, you know, stuff happens.
“But look, we’re brothers. We’re certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him and I know he’ll always be there for me.
“You know, we don’t see each other as much as we used to because we’re so busy. But I love him dearly and, you know, the majority of the stuff is created out of nothing. Just as I said, as brothers, you have good days, you have bad days.”
Insiders have confirmed to the Mirror that the brothers have spoken and “frank words were exchanged”.
Sources close to
William – who reportedly did not see the documentary ahead of its broadcast – have claimed he was “furious”.
Kensington Palace aides were quick to suggest his feelings were out of concern for his brother and Meghan.
An emotional Meghan spoke in the show of the “really challenging” time of being a new mother in the spotlight, saying: “It’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.”
The day after it aired, William was said to be “worried” about the couple and “hoped they were all right”.
But Foster yesterday revealed his source said “palace leaks” had driven “hysteria” over Harry’s comments.
Harry and Meghan have had mixed responses to the documentary.
In the film, a subdued Meghan said pregnancy is a “vulnerable” time and not many people had asked after her wellbeing. She added she had “tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip” but was left feeling hurt over negative coverage they received.
Harry told of the stress of public life too, revealing his mental health is under “constant management”.
The Duke and Duchess have also been widely criticised for certain lifestyle choices over the past year. They were accused of hypocrisy over their decision to use private jets while campaigning about climate change.
And they have been affected by the behaviour of Meghan’s estranged dad Thomas, who has given embarrassing interviews in a bid to heal their rift.
The 75-year-old failed to attend her wedding last May after he was caught colluding with paparazzi.
She has not seen Thomas since before her big day and he has yet to meet her five-month-old son Archie.
But Meghan has also been accused of playing the media – with claims she briefed friends to speak to reporters.
In February, five close pals “opened up” on the woman they “know and love” after her fallout with Thomas.
The interview, painting Meghan in a hugely positive light, described her as a “selfless friend who writes thankyou notes for reasons big and small”.
Meanwhile, Meghan was all smiles at last night’s One Young World Summit bash. She wowed in a violet Aritzia Babaton Maxwell dress as she was greeted by Royal Albert Hall president Ian McCulloch and the group’s managing director, Ella Robertson.
The summit is a global forum for young leaders, featuring 2,000 people from 190 countries. Meghan has been involved since 2014, using her role to advocate for women’s rights.
The crowd cheered as she was introduced as an “activist and philanthropist”. An announcer said: “We are delighted to welcome back a returning One Young World counsellor from 2014 and 2016, a global champion for the rights of women and girls.”