'Insulting', 'disrespectful': Prince William 'shocked' by the Sussexes' response to the Queen
Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement released on Friday February 19 that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will never again become active members of the Royal Family. The couple's response to Elizabeth II would have "upset" Prince William to say the least, the Sunday Times has revealed.
Their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey airs Sunday, March 7 on CBS. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will discuss in particular the arrival of the former actress in the royal family, their marriage, or their way of "coping with a life impacted by the intense pressure of public opinion". And the prospect of this post- "Megxit" exchange would be far from delighting Buckingham. Elizabeth II thus made the decision to withdraw part of their honorary titles from the Sussexes. The latter will therefore never again become active members of the royal family and lose a large part of their sponsorship to British charities. "After a series of conversations with the Duke, the Queen confirmed in writing that by distancing themselves from the work performed by the Royal Family, it is impossible for them to pursue the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service" , the Palace said on Friday, February 19.
It is customary not to respond to communications from the sovereign. However, the Sussexes decided to publish their own message following this announcement. “We can all live a life of public service,” they wrote. Public services are universal. ” The duo also said they would continue "to support the organizations they represent, regardless of their official role."
An attitude that would have at least tense, even "upset" Prince William, revealed the Sunday Times, Sunday February 21. Prince Charles' eldest son is said to be "really sad and sincerely shocked" by the attitude of his younger brother, as an anonymous source told the British weekly. According to other witnesses, Prince William would find the behavior of the Sussexes "insulting and disrespectful" towards Elizabeth II. "We do not respond to the queen," a witness added. That one is not to be done."
A healing relationship
Prince William would also suffer from Prince Harry's estrangement. "Once the anger passed, he became aware of the absence of his brother, explained a source close to the Duke of Cambridge in the columns of the Sunday Times. They had shared everything in life, their office, their foundation, almost daily meetings, and they had a lot of fun. He will always miss it. ” According to a close friend of Prince William, he now feels he is under more pressure. "His future promises to be different, because of the choices of his brother," said the witness. But Kate Middleton's husband is said to be determined that his relationship with Prince Harry "heals over time." Just like Elizabeth II, who reportedly wrote a "warm" letter to the couple, explaining however that he could not "make decisions" on the way the royal family works.
Prince Harry has been stripped of his last three military titles - those of Captain General of the Royal Navy, Honorary Air Force Commander at Base Honington, and Honorary Commander-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving at the Royal Navy: some of these could be passed on to Prince William and Princess Anne. The father of little Archie also gives up his patronage status with the Rugby Football Union, the Rugby Football League, and the London Marathon. Meghan Markle could, for her part, keep her function of representation at the National Theater. The couple, who are expecting a second child, must nevertheless relinquish their status as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and President and Vice-President of the Commonwealth Trust. He is expected to retain his roles with private charities, such as the Invictus Games, WellChild, Sentebale, Mayhew and Smart Works.
