Bemused rather than angry, The Firm carries on regardless
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dropped their Megxit bombshell seven months ago, all hell broke loose behind Palace gates. Having blindsided the Queen by releasing their shock sayonara on Instagram, aides were thrown into such a frenzy that there were reports of courtiers holding a phone to each ear in scenes akin to a trading floor at the height of a financial crash.
Yet, as The Firm’s major shareholders take stock of the fallout from the serialisation of Finding Freedom, the mood in the gilt-edged corridors of royal power appears surprisingly relaxed. The Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are understood to have barely registered a reaction to the much-hyped book by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
As the Sussexes have struggled to establish themselves Stateside, for the rest of the Royal family, life has continued at pace. Even while in self-isolation with Prince Philip, 99, at Windsor Castle, the Queen has carried on dealing with the contents of her red boxes, while maintaining regular contact with the Prime Minister and Commonwealth heads of government. She has even managed to attend a mini Trooping the Colour, Princess Beatrice’s wedding, and knighted Captain Sir Tom Moore.
As Harry and Meghan have learnt to their chagrin, the wheels of monarchy never stop turning, regardless of the obstacles placed in its path.
So where do the latest brickbats leave relations between the couple and the House of Windsor they left behind? Described as “exhausted” by the saga rather than angry, sources close to Prince William appear bewildered by the book’s claim that Harry took offence at the “snobbishness” of his brother advising him to “take as much time as you need to know this girl”. They claim the comment was a reflection of William (and Kate’s) genuine desire to look after impetuous Harry’s best interests.
Indeed, The Daily Telegraph has learnt that one of Harry’s closest friends issued a far stronger warning in much more colourful language – reflecting, perhaps, the cynicism of the British aristocracy in the face of whirlwind romances under canvas, and talk of “love at first sight”. The forthright friend soon found himself frozen out of the Sussexes’ inner circle as the couple adopted an “us against the rest of the world” approach.
Although the royal brothers have remained in touch during lockdown, insiders admit they are nowhere near as close as they used to be.
It is unlikely the Duke of Cambridge will be best pleased with Finding Freedom’s suggestion that his innately shy wife was not welcoming enough towards Meghan, failing to “check in on her during the most difficult times with the press”. Friends point out the introverted Duchess’s natural lack of effusiveness was largely down to her preoccupation with a newborn, a toddler, and a son and heir just about to start primary school.
The Queen is understood to have invited the Sussexes to Balmoral this summer, but it is thought “highly unlikely” they will travel from Los Angeles. Some are starting to question when – or if – the Queen and Prince Philip will see Archie, their youngest great grandchild, again.
Ironically, while Harry and Meghan have struggled to find their true identity in the US, the Covid-19 crisis has helped the Cambridges to work out exactly who they are, and what they need to do. Unlike the Sussexes, there is no need for reinvention.
So as the Royal family looks to the future, the Sussexes remain somewhat stuck in the past. “People want them to be happy,” insisted one well-placed source. “But this book doesn’t paint a particularly happy picture.”
Having finally found their freedom, it seems the Sussexes have never appeared more trapped.