Today, I have quite a captivating story to share with all of you. It's bound to generate a buzz and keep people talking for weeks to come. As we've known for several months now, the dramatic departure of Harry and Meghan from their royal duties in 2020, followed by a series of explosive television interviews, has caused a significant rift within the family. Specifically, their relationship with Harry's father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, has been strained. However, it appears that another member of the royal inner circle has grown tired of the Sussexes' behavior and is no longer willing to keep her opinions private. None other than the Queen's daughter, Princess Anne, has decided to speak out in a recent interview with a British newspaper.
Princess Anne did not hold back in her scathing criticism of Harry and Meghan. She openly criticized their interviews, accusing them of airing the family's dirty laundry for personal gain. When asked about Harry's disparaging comments, insinuating that he felt trapped within the royal institution and that Meghan did not receive adequate support for her mental health struggles, Princess Anne bluntly replied that if one chooses a public life, they must accept the obligations and expectations that come with it. She further stated that their "woe-is-me" victim narrative left out crucial context and seemed only to serve the purpose of improving their public image at the expense of smearing the royal family.
This candid assessment from Princess Anne was surprising since she was known for keeping her opinions away from the press. Clearly, she has reached her limit and can no longer remain silent in the face of Harry and Meghan's provocative media presence in America. And if that scathing criticism wasn't damning enough, Princess Anne delivered what will undoubtedly become the headline quote from the interview. She straightforwardly stated that Harry should consider himself permanently exiled from the inner workings of the royal family going forward. In her opinion, after all the trouble they have caused, she believes neither Harry nor Meghan have a place within the royal family anymore. As far as she is concerned, the door is closed.
It's hard to interpret Princess Anne's words as anything other than a complete expression of frustration and a clear sign that she is fed up. She echoed the sentiments of many royalists who feel that Harry has crossed a line of insult and disrespect that the family, and specifically Princess Anne, cannot forgive or forget. Known for her no-nonsense and straightforward attitude, this response from Princess Anne was entirely in line with her reputation. Nevertheless, it was still quite shocking in its direct condemnation of her own nephew and his wife.
Some may try to downplay the severity of Princess Anne's words, but I believe they signify the beginning of the end for any hope of the Sussexes ever regaining their place within the royal inner circle. After everything they have done, from the interviews and books to the constant manipulation of the media, it is evident that the bridge between them and the royal family has been completely burned and destroyed. Princess Anne's icy reception mirrors the cold treatment Harry received from Prince William during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, where they awkwardly avoided interacting with each other. It seems that Princess Anne, who has always been a staunch defender of the Queen's honor, now stands firmly against Harry and Meghan. With the family's approval ratings declining post-Queen, they cannot afford any more self-inflicted PR disasters. When someone as reluctant to share their opinions as Princess Anne openly expresses her rage towards Harry and Meghan in print, it indicates that the situation behind closed doors must be extremely stressful and frustrating, reaching Defcon levels.
This must be a devastating blow to Harry, who likely hoped for some eventual reconciliation with certain family members. However, Princess Anne, as a senior frontline royal with decades of royal service, is not someone you want publicly speaking out against you. If she considers you unwelcome and has burned bridges permanently, it will be incredibly challenging to undo the damage or change her mind. One can't help but wonder if other notable royals, such as Sophie or Edward, may also feel emboldened to publicly echo Princess Anne's disapproval.
The bigger picture here is that Harry and Meghan have created an irreparable schism within the family that may take generations to heal. Regardless of any olive branches extended, Princess Anne's words confirm that the pain and discord caused cannot simply be wished away. The reality is that their commercial endeavors and ongoing publicity stunts have likely inflicted lasting damage upon the monarchy internally. Princess Anne is merely stating what every royal watcher suspects: returning to public duties after such a profound betrayal is inconceivable.
