Royal Rift: How William’s Initial Approval of Meghan Markle Turned Sour
When Meghan Markle first joined the Royal Family, Prince William initially found her “quite refreshing,” according to royal correspondent Russell Myers. The Prince of Wales was reportedly “genuinely happy” that Prince Harry had found someone who brought him joy. However, relations rapidly deteriorated and by 2020, Harry and Meghan had stepped back from their roles as senior royals.
The Turning Point
Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggests a key turning point occurred in the months leading up to the announcement of their departure. “We saw William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan do so many things together initially, but the turning point was a few months before the announcement that they were stepping away from royal duties,” Harrold stated. “They were doing events in the summer prior to that, so something must have happened in between.”
Stepping Back and the Fallout
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, aiming for financial independence while continuing to support Queen Elizabeth II. Their statement read, “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and operate to become financially independent, whilst continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen.”
This announcement reportedly caught the royal family off guard, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not consult with Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles beforehand. Prince Harry is believed to now regret the manner in which the withdrawal from royal duties was revealed, according to a source cited by The Telegraph.
The Queen’s Response
Queen Elizabeth II responded to Harry and Meghan’s announcement, confirming their transition away from full-time royal duties. While she expressed a preference for them to remain, she acknowledged their desire for a more independent life. She stated, “Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives,” and acknowledged that “complex matters” needed to be resolved.
Ongoing Tensions
Recent reports indicate that tensions between Prince William and Prince Harry remain unresolved. People Magazine reported, citing Omid Scobie, that the relationship between the brothers has not changed in three years. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent tour to Jordan has reportedly angered Prince William, according to NewsNationNow, particularly given the timing alongside controversies surrounding Prince Andrew.
reports suggest that Prince William’s camp has publicly questioned Prince Harry’s honesty, as highlighted in a YouTube report.