The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “clearly angry” with the monarch’s decision after they chose to not return to their royal duties. This is evident in their statement when they responded to the Queen, according to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
Fitwilliams, who regularly contributes stories about royal matters to CNN and Sky News, felt “blindsided” by the Sussexes’ strong words. For him, their statement did not help because it only showed how unhappy they were.
“We know they’re unhappy, I totally accept that,” he told Us Weekly in the latest episode of the “Royally Us” podcast. “I’d like to see a more balanced approach. … The language used [and] to appear to lecture the queen … that sort of statement is very unhelpful, but what it showed is how angry they are.”
The Queen was holding out hope that Prince Harry and Markle would change their minds about their royal exit, according to a source. However, Fitzwilliams believed that the royal couple did not have any second thoughts about their decision to leave their royal duties.
“The queen has made it absolutely clear that they would always be welcome back if they had a change of heart. I don’t think anybody sees any chance of it [happening]. If it happened, I think the royal family would be delighted,” the royal expert added.
Prince William was also reportedly sad and shocked by Prince Harry’s response to their grandmother. The second-in-line to the throne didn’t expect that his younger sibling would be “insulting and disrespectful” toward their grandmother.
“We know they’re unhappy, I totally accept that,” he told Us Weekly in the latest episode of the “Royally Us” podcast. “I’d like to see a more balanced approach. … The language used [and] to appear to lecture the queen … that sort of statement is very unhelpful, but what it showed is how angry they are.”
The Queen was holding out hope that Prince Harry and Markle would change their minds about their royal exit, according to a source. However, Fitzwilliams believed that the royal couple did not have any second thoughts about their decision to leave their royal duties.
“The queen has made it absolutely clear that they would always be welcome back if they had a change of heart. I don’t think anybody sees any chance of it [happening]. If it happened, I think the royal family would be delighted,” the royal expert added.
Prince William was also reportedly sad and shocked by Prince Harry’s response to their grandmother. The second-in-line to the throne didn’t expect that his younger sibling would be “insulting and disrespectful” toward their grandmother.
Last week, the palace released a statement announcing the Sussexes’ decision to not return to their royal duties. In the announcement, the Queen decided to strip them of their honorary military appointments and all of their royal patronages because it was not possible for them to continue their responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.
Prince Harry and Markle seemingly fired back by releasing a statement that directly addressed the Queen’s claim.
“As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s rep said. “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”