In a move that shook the world, after just 20-months as a royal couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stepped down as senior royals. But what would drive the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to step away from such a lucrative lifestyle? What does the move mean for them?

Stepping Down As Senior Royals

Scandal-hit the British royal family the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry announced that he and his wife, Meghan Markle, intend to step down as senior royals. The couple revealed that they wanted a more private life with their baby son Archie, and intend to operate between the United Kingdom and Canada.

According to sources at a Miami summit Prince Harry attended, he talked about dealing with his mother's death. He also mentioned not wanting his son Archie and wife Meghan to live under tabloid scrutiny the way he had to all his life. Although the couple is determined, this decision has cost him a lot of privileges.

The Decision Was A Long Time Coming

Although the announcement came as a shock, the Sussex's have been hinting about the strain they've been taking throughout their first 18-months as a royal couple. The main focus of their unhappiness was with the way the British press have treated them.

When talking to journalist Tom Bradby for the documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, the Duchess spoke about a friend warning her about the British press when she heard about Meghan's engagement to Harry. Although her American friends were happy for her to become royalty, one British friend warned her against marrying the prince, saying that the British tabloids will destroy her life.

Meghan Hinted That She'd Had Enough

The documentary filming with Bradby took place during the Sussex's visit to South Africa in 2019. It seems like the more it continued, the more Meghan revealed about her struggles with being a royal.

She told Bradby about the conversations she had with Harry regarding happiness and doing more than just surviving. Meghan also told the Bradby about how she tries to cope with the media attention using the British stiff upper lip method. She was worried about the long term emotional effect this would have on her.

Harry Also Weighed In About The Challenges Of Being A Royal

While in South Africa, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were accompanied by ITV journalist Bradby to film and interview them. Bradby had exclusive access to Harry and Meghan and got them to open up about their lives as royals. He spoke to the prince, who shared similar sentiments to his wife, Meghan.

Bradby heard stories about how a huge part of a royal's job is putting on a brave face and rolling with any negative or false reporting in the media. But, as Meghan mentioned to Bradby, Harry also spoke about the emotional impact these reports have on him and his wife.

They Eventually Decided To Take A Leap

After all the hinting, the royal couple made their decision and announced it to the world on 8 January 2020. The Duke and Duchess took to their Royal Sussex Instagram account to do it but didn't outright say they were leaving the royal family.

Instead, they announced that they wanted to create a revolutionary new role in the royal institute and that they were stepping back, not down, from their position as senior royals. They still intended to do work for the Queen of England and the institutions the royals represent.

Becoming Independent People

One of the reasons for stepping back, according to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex statement, was so that they could become financially independent, i.e. not rely on royal funding. They also wanted to live between England and Canada, where they've been renting on Vancouver Island.

While losing royal funding is a huge hit, the Sussex's do have income options. Meghan can fall back on acting, while Harry has a net worth of 30 million pounds ($37.6 million) made up of 10 million pounds ($12.5 million) inheritance from his mother's estate. There's also a further 4.9 million pounds ($6.27 million) from a trust fund set up by his great grandmother.

The Royal Family Was Caught Off Guard

While the statement hints that Harry and Meghan received encouragement toward their decision, that encouragement didn't come from the royal family. Especially since it looks like the Palace was caught off guard by the social media announcement.

There were even claims that the Sussexes gave no prior notice of the announcement. This explains the short and stern statement issued by the palace following the announcement. Their statement suggested that the Duke and Duchess jumped the gun with heir announcement, and were still in discussion with the royals regarding their fresh role. The palace also hinted that it could get complicated for the young couple.

As Feared, The Tabloids Were All Over Them

The Sussexes got exactly what they feared as the tabloids jumped on the story, searching for any angle they could find. British tabloid, the Daily Mail, tried to label them as brattish, by allegedly interviewing some members of the royal staff.

One unnamed staff member said that the royals had bent over backward for Harry and Meghan and that they got everything they wanted, from their wedding to their house. The source event said that the Sussexes had their family's backing and couldn't understand why they were so unhappy as royals.

Being Royal Isn't All Glamour And Leisure

While there are perks to being royal born, such as tax funding for all your operational expenses and income from more than one revenue stream. You get to use whatever fund you get from personal investments on whatever you please. But it's still a full-time job, and it also comes with restrictions.

The royal family has upward of 2,000 annual engagements to attend, ranging from national festivities to state funerals. That's besides the mandatory charity work they must do. Royals also need to conduct themselves in a particular way, in public and around each other.

You Must Bow To Your Grandmother

Yes, even if you're the Queen's grandson, you need to follow royal protocol in her presence. Men must offer a respectful nod when she arrives while ladies must do a curtsy.  Everyone also needs to stand when she enters or leaves a room.

Like any other civilian, royals cannot turn their backs on her royal majesty. Also, everything they do needs her approval first. Besides their conduct toward the Queen, royals are not allowed to have nicknames among themselves. Women are meant to wear a hat to any formal events they're attending.

Even Marriage Proposals Need To Go By The Queen First

According to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, royals aren’t allowed to marry without the Queen’s, or any head monarch's permission. This centuries-old tradition dates back to when King George II took issue with his brother marrying a commoner. While many royals have married commoners, it isn't against the rules but makes keeping royal lineage difficult.

The queen made this exception for both prince Harry and Prince William, both of whom's partners are not of Noble lineage. Meanwhile, their mother, Princess Diana, was born into nobility, and it was these lines that led to her marriage to Prince Charles.

Even Wedding Dresses Need To Go By The Queen First

Do you think you're just going to walk into any Ellis Bridals, choose the prettiest, most expensive dress you like and walk out? Think again. First of all your dress is going to be a designer, secondly, even the bride's wedding dress must have the Queen’s nod of approval before it is purchased.

Before Kate Middleton married Prince William, for instance, she kept her royal majesty updated on the designs of her Alexander McQueen wedding gown. It was designed by the company's Creative Director Sarah Burton. Meghan apparently did the same thing regarding her stylish Ralph & Russo number.

Rules About Clothing

The royal family dress code is one of conservative sophistication. Especially for women, who cannot show bare legs and constantly have to wear tights or stockings. Skirts need to be modest sitting either just above or below the knee.  While each outfit doesn't need to be run by the Queen, she does set the tone.

While she's more a fan of natural nail colors as opposed to colored nails, you will see her in bright clothing though. This policy is more of a practical move as it makes her Majesty easier to spot in a crowd. It also does her fashion status.

Royals Don't Do Politics

Unlike what we saw on Game Of Thrones, royals have no say in the decisions that guide a country. It's been this way for centuries: the British parliamentary government makes decisions, while the monarchs serve as representatives for the country.

This is why no matter how good or bad you think Donald Trump is, you won't hear the queen say anything about it. While this may seem counterintuitive considering the perceived power the royals have, their focus is on public work, charities, and maintaining national unity.

Royal Neutrality Explained

Just like everything needs to be run by her, so everyone needs to follow her lead for the good of the royal image. Or as CNN royal expert Victoria Arbiter explained to Time magazine in 2019, the queen is careful about her image and how both her and the decision of other royals, affect this image.

Arbiter, whose father Dickie served as the press spokesperson for the Queen between 1988 and 2000, further explained that because the Royal Family represents The Queen they have to watch what they say, where they go, and who they support to avoid causing her embarrassment.

Becoming A Man In The Military

While in many countries like South Korea, Angola, and Cuba all male citizens are required to serve compulsory military service, Britain does not. Not even for royals. Despite it not being mandatory, there is still an unwritten expectation for high ranking male royals enlist in the armed forces. Prince Harry did just that.

He spent 10-years in the army eventually becoming an Apache aircraft commander and serving two tours in Afghanistan. Prince Harry rose to the rank of captain and his experiences of the war led him to later set up the Invictus Games – an athletic event for military personnel injured at war.

Army Buddy Back Harry Up

They say that in the army you don't just make friends, you meet new brothers and sisters. While Harry’s resignation as a senior royal wasn't well-received by his royal family, he has been fully backed by one of his military brothers.

The soldier in question is JJ Chalmers. He shared some insight into the Prince’s mindset a few days after he had announced the royal exit. Speaking on Britain’s The One Show, Chalmers said, that he saw Harry less like an army captain and more the father he is now.

Taking His Family Out Of The Firing Line

Together Chalmers and Harry went to war to protect their country and the beliefs it stands for. In many ways Chalmers thinks that Harry is using the instincts and principles he learned in the army, to solve his current problem as a royal and family man.

Chalmers believes that Harry was protecting his family by resigning as a senior royal, taking them out of the firing line. He says that this is now Harry's number one priority and, as in the military, has laid it all on the line to protect his own.

Harry Can Stand Up For Himself Though

While the back up was appreciated, Harry took care of himself and spoke out about the decision during a charity event on 19 January 2020. When addressing the crowd he encouraged them to hear him as a man that grew up in front of them, not a duke or a prince.

Prince Harry reiterated that no matter what he loves the UK and will always consider it home. He also made it clear that while it took time for them to come to the decision, they never got married with the intention of leaving their royal duties behind.

How The Loss Of His Mother Impacted His Decision

While Harry has made a huge effort to defend his decisions while making it clear that it was a tough one that he didn't take lightly, he most recently opened up about another reason for doing it.

While the main reason was to protect his family from the scrutiny of tabloid journalists, a talk he did in Miami in April 2020, saw him open up about the fact that he is still seeing a therapist to deal with his mother's death. Having the spotlight on him from a young age thanks to that incident, he feels it necessary to protect Meghan and Archie from the same scrutiny.

Can Harry Work A Day Job?

Once the news of Harry and Meghan's departure sank in, the British press switched their attention to the Sussex's finances.  As working royals, their income was generated from taxes, but resigning as a royal means losing those privileges and of course, Prince Harry hasn't actually worked a day job.

So how will Harry contribute to the family income? As previously mentioned he has a sizeable net worth and he spent 10-years in the army as a pilot, soldier, and military events co-ordinator. Harry can also study and be like Princess Beatrice of York, who works as the Vice President of partnership at Afiniti International Holdings in the US.

Meghan Also Has A Few Options

The Duchess of Sussex is a former actress who had roles in films like Horrible Bosses, Random Encounter as well as a regular role in the hit series Suits. In 2019 it was reported that Meghan was getting back into the industry and signed a deal with Disney to lend her voice to one of their projects.

The reports were true and Meghan narrated a Disney nature film called Elephant, released on 4 April 2020. The film follows a heard of elephants making a treacherous to migration across the Kalahari desert. Reports suggest that part of Meghan's deal was for proceeds from the film benefit the charity Elephants Without Borders.

Being A Royal Also Makes You A Fashion Icon

While we may not be getting a show called the Real Princesses Of Disney Land, there were rumors that the duchess might opt for a career in fashion. According to British tabloid, The Sun, an unnamed insider allegedly told them about Meghan's fashion aspirations.

According to their well placed royal insiders, The Sun reported that she wants to cash in on her image, use her connections in the fashion industry to start a modeling career. Apparently a few major brands like cosmetics giants Invioto and Givenchy approached for deals that could be worth millions.

High-Level Security

As royals, Prince Harry and Meghan had the protection of a special unit known as the Royal and Specialist Protection (RASP). Leaving behind their royal lives means leaving behind their security team. But while they aren't royals anymore, they are still popular public figures who need constant security.

While their financial status can be remedied, their security is of utmost importance. This is especially true now that they're not going to be in  England all the time. While in Canada, they cannot expect the level of protection they need from the local authorities.

Prince Of DIY Security

This was reiterated by a well-placed royal security source in The Telegraph newspaper.  According to the source, London's main police force, the Met Police don’t have the powers to operate in Canada and would not be allowed to be armed. So even if the royals still wanted to aid in the couple's security, it would only work if they were in England.

However, with the Duke of Sussex's military training and the fact that Canadian gun laws allow people to own standard rifles and shotguns without registering them, the Prince can provide his own security against pesky stalkers and deranged fans.

The Costly Non-DIY Option

Alternatively, as the Telegraph's source stated, the Canadian government can provide security, and then bill the cost to the British government. However the source missed one important fact, the UK government doesn't supplement the Sussex's finances.

That means they would have to take on the cost of the security which will be added to what they've already promised to pay back to the Sovereign Grant funds for renovating their family home, Frogmore Cottage. Even though the royal estate was due for renovation, the Sussex's still vowed to pay back the amount of 2.4 million pounds ($3 million).

Daddy To The Rescue

Prince Charles seems to have offered a solution to the problem by offering 2 million pounds ($2.5 million) a year to fund the Sussex's security need when in Canada. The Prince Of Wales gets the majority of his funding from the Duchy of Cornwall. Most likely, he will be drawing funds from those coffers for Harry and Meghan.

The Duchy Of Cornwall generates an estimated 28 million pounds ($35.1 million) a year, which Prince Charles uses to pay his children and grandchildren. So while Harry will no longer be a senior Royal, he will still be receiving the royal funding he is used to. 

But That Looks Like The Only Help They're Getting

While Prince Charles will cover the security, the rest is up to Harry and Meghan to make up. As a result of them stepping down from their senior royal Duties, the Sussexes have forgone their right to funding from the Sovereign Grant.

The Grant is a percentage of the Crown Estate, a royal real estate investment that goes directly to the British treasury. It's worth roughly $18.3 million, with the royal family taking 15% to go towards funding their housing and royal work. Harry and Meghan are willing to sacrifice it though. And it's not the only privilege they'll be stripped off.

No More Military Uniform At Royal Events

Even though Harry served two tours in Afghanistan, and a secondment in Australia, stepping down means he will no longer be allowed to wear his military uniform at official royal events. This honor is of course reserved for those still serving in the military, and harry resigned from his position in the military in 2015.

In doing so Harry gave up three titular positions he earned: Captain-General Of Royal Marines, Honorary air Comondant and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command. He can wear the medals that he’s earned, just not at royal events, like Remembrance Sunday, where he'll need to dress like a civilian.

And He Will Be Missed In The Military

Speaking to the Telegraph newspaper about Harry's resignation as the Captain-General of the Royal Marines, Lord West Of Spithead – the former head of the Royal Navy – spoke about how sad the military is to lose Harry. He said it was unfortunate to lose Harry from the military. The Captain-General also said there are concerns among Royal Marines about who will be stepping in to take his place.

The irony is that while Harry cannot wear his military uniform, his brother Prince William, the Duke Of Cambridge, can wear his. This is despite not serving on the battlefront like Harry and simply by virtue of him holding onto his honorary positions.

No More Royal Highness About Them

Stepping down as senior royals also means losing their right to be called His/Her Royal Highness (HRH).  This was as per a statement released by Buckingham Palace, which says that because they aren't working members of the royal family, they can no longer have these titles.

While this won't mean much to Meghan, who was only a senior royal for roughly a year and a half, it will take some getting used to for Harry, who has been a Royal Highness since birth. They're not losing all of their titles though.

They're Still The Duke And Duchess... Except For Baby Archie

Harry and Meghan do still have the right to be referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They will also continue to use the titles given to them in Scotland and Ireland: The Earl and countess of Dumbarton (Scotland)and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel in Northern Ireland.

On the other hand, their son Archie will have no title whatsoever – but only because his parents didn’t want one for him to begin with. Yes, after he was born, they announced that their firstborn would simply be called Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

They've Had To Drop Their Brand Name

They will however need to change their brand names, especially regarding their social media accounts. As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the couple had joint Twitter and Instagram account named @sussexroyal. The problem for them is the royal part which, as per their stepping down, they no longer are royal and therefore, can no longer use it.

It could be a blessing in disguise for them though because they originally hi-jacked the handle from another user. Sussex resident Kevin Keiley made headlines when he angrily came forward saying that he had his Instagram handle automatically changed. This was after the Duke and Duchess registered their account with the same one.

It's Still A Bummer Since They Had Plans For That Title

This was a stumbling block since they had plans to open a charity organization called the Sussex Royal Foundation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex applied to trademark the Sussex Royal title, but the request was canceled after their announcement to step away as senior royal.

The Sussexes eventually did open their organization, sidestepping the title issue by playing on their son's name, calling the charity Archewell. It will be an NPO and not a foundation and will run in conjunction with the work the Sussex's do. Harry stepped down from the Royal Foundation, a charity he and Prince William started, to embark on this new venture with his wife.

They Did Invest A Lot In Building The Sussex Royal Brand Though

They however did put a lot behind the Sussex Royal brand, especially on social media where they were constantly active about the work they were doing.  It was also on this Instagram account that they made their announcement to step away as senior royals.

However, according to an apparent insider who spoke to the Daily Mail newspaper, this was inevitable in many ways and the Sussex's should have expected it. The source said that the queen has no choice but to follow protocol, despite Harry and Meghan's good intentions. The Sussex's, of course, weren't initially intending to leave entirely and must've hoped they could keep using real in their brand.

The Original Half And Half Plan Was Never Going To Work

One of the main aspects of the original announcement on 8 January 2020, was that the Sussex's were looking to carve a new kind of royal role out of the old way of doing things. They were still willing to do royal work, but with all of the perks and none of the media scrutiny.

They essentially wanted the best of both worlds but, as the Daily Mail's insider said, their half-in, half-out plan most probably never would've worked. Especially since the Queen herself said that if they aren’t performing official duties, they can't market themselves as royals. 

Even Royal Status Must Be Run By The Queen

Once the Queen had her say, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed suit.  The couple made their point of view clear while announcing their plans to stop using the title in a statement on their website, sussexroyal.com. It was revealed on 9 January 2020, the day after their initial announcement.

The statement opened with them saying that while the Monarchy and Cabinet Office couldn't stop them from using the word royal overseas, they've decided that they won't use the term in their business ventures in England, or in other countries. 

There May Have Been A Little Dig At The Family Too

While the statement on the website came across in an official tone, certain readers noted a sense of frustration from the Sussex's with the royal family. Readers took particular note of the section referring to the Sussex's getting a 12-month review period, despite there being a precedent of other royals not needed to such a guideline in place.

This may or may not be directed at conduct with his brother, who at one point had a civilian contract, without resistance from the royals. William worked as a helicopter pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

This Caused Another Unnamed Insider To Voice Their Opinion

Yes, tabloid newspaper The Mirror found another unnamed source who was willing to discuss the statement. This insider called the comments in the statement petulant and said the palace is alarmed and Harry and Meghan are ostracising themselves even further from the family.

Having had enough of tabloids, on 11 April 2020, Harry and Meghan released a statement announcing that they are cutting off four major UK tabloids, the Mail, the Sun, the Express, and the Mirror. The statement highlighted Harry's experience witnessing how they were ripped apart by these tabloids, they've decided to cut off all communications with these papers.

Of Course, The Real Royal Stories Will Never Come Out

While we know what royals are doing in public, we don't know for certain what’s going on behind closed doors at Buckingham Palace. So it's difficult to decipher whether the Sussex's jumped the gun and were met by resistance. Or whether the palace was caught off guard and felt the need to educate Harry and Meghan on the royal protocols.

But It appears that all of the details have been ironed out and on the still-titled Sussex Royal website, there is an official guideline for the transition that started on 1 April 2020. These guidelines include details about the charity organization the Sussex's plan on starting.

Prince William Finally Opened Up About His Brother

While it's clear that Buckingham Palace was shaken by the announcement, and reacted quickly and in a somewhat knee-jerk manner. One Windsor who took his time to react to the announcement was the elder prince and Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.

While the monarchy reacted to the sudden crisis, Prince William remained publicly silent as the rumors flew in the media. The Queen herself along with her royal subjects negotiated the dos and don'ts for the duke and duchess of Sussex. But finally, Prince William opened up about his brother’s departure.

 

A Story Of Brotherly Love

William and Harry were bonded by the tragic death of their mother, Princess Diana in 1997. This bond was so strong that William helped Harry get into therapy after the latter admitted he still hasn't dealt with her death and was still struggling with his mental health as an adult.

But reports suggest that there was a long time rift between the brothers. At their first public meeting together since the Sussex’s announcement, at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on 9 March, a lip-reading expert noticed that Harry was upset about being snubbed. Reportedly William, telling Meghan that the person just formally greeted him, without any other contact.

Sibling Quarrels Have Been Happening Since Before The Announcement

Even before the big announcement, there had been rumors about arguments between the two princes. In June 2019 royal family expert Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight that the brothers had a fallout. According to a senior royal source, they weren’t talking to each other at one point.

Nicholl stated that the brothers had a fall out around Christmas 2018 when Harry allegedly confronted William about not making an effort to make Meghan feel comfortable. Their father Prince Charles had to step in and requested for William to make more of an effort. The Cambridge’s invited the Sussex’s for Christmas lunch that year.

Harry’s Announcement Fueled The Rift Rumour Further

While he played it cool and stayed silent for a while Prince William was still caught off guard by the announcement. This was according to an anonymous source, who told the US Weekly that William was blindsided by Harry and Meghan’s Statement. The source said that Harry would normally discuss important decisions like this with William first.

The source then suggested that Harry not confiding in William is a sign that there is a rift. However, Harry would later say that he and William were simply in different places at the moment. And, despite them not speaking much, he still loves him as a brother.

Speaking Of Announcements… Here’s A Detailed Recap

In news that shocked the world, on 8 January 2020 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan announced via their Instagram account that they were stepping back as senior royals. They intended to become a self-sufficient couple and relinquish some of their royal duties.

According to the message it had taken months of reflection and internal discussions to come to the decision. They emphasized that they weren't stepping down, but rather trying to create a new kind of position within the royal institute while also operating as an independent entity.

They Wanted To Make Their Own Money

Essentially, the Sussex’s wanted to escape the gaze of the British press while still doing the work of a royal. In the statement, they said that they wanted to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and make moves to become financially independent.

They strove to continue supporting the queen and fulfill their royal endeavors and stated that they have received encouragement, although they don’t make it clear from whom. They made it apparent that this was not a knee jerk move and that after long discussions and consideration they felt ready to make this leap.

Dividing Their Time

One of the major talking points from the statement was whether they intended to forego their royal funding and how they intended to achieve their financial independence. The other main talking point was their announcement that they would be splitting their time between Canada and Britain.

According to the statement they wanted to live between the UK and Canada. This is so that they could raise their son Archie with an appreciation for the royal tradition while also having space to focus on the next chapter. Prior to the announcement, it was reported that they had spent the Christmas of 2018 in Canada and were renting a mansion in Vancouver.

A Long Way To Go

Despite laying out the bare bones of their planned “new exciting role” the Sussex’s acknowledged that they still had a lot of discussing to do with The Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William. This was an indication that they still had some negotiating to do and potentially would meet some resistance.

They however remained positive in the statement saying that they would share all the details once they've been ironed out with the family. They even threw in a teaser about a new charity organization that would be founded in the name of their brand, Sussex Royal.

The Media Scrambled For Angles

Naturally, the news sent the press scrambling, trying to find angles they could spin from the announcement. One of the first of those to appear was from BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond who took to Twitter to announce that Harry and Meghan hadn't consulted anyone in the royal family before issued their statement.

Dymond closed his tweet saying that the palace was understood to be disappointed in the manner of the announcement. His tweet effectively nullified the Sussex’s claim that they had been discussing this for months and provided the perfect platform for the palace’s response.

The Palace Duly Responded

And respond they did, with a rather snippy, short and uncharacteristically to the point statement that simply said that discussion about Duke and Duchess of Sussex's proposal was still in the early stages and that these are complicated issues that wouldn't be resolved fast.

The statement acknowledged the ambition of the proposal brought by the Sussex’s. But the nature of this response simply fueled the media speculation that Harry and Meghan had stepped on a few toes. This is something that the tabloids would continuously return to fuel their conflict inspired stories.

The Announcement Caused Rifts With The Entire Royal Household

Despite their cordial response, the palace was actually stunned by Harry and Meghan’s news.  The royals were shocked into action and took exception to the way the Sussex's approached this business. Reports even suggested that some royal employees felt deceived by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Daily Mail apparently spoke to a royal aide who said the royal house feels like it was stabbed in the back through the staggering level of deceit brought on by Harry and Meghan. The Daily Mail is the same newspaper the duke and duchess took legal action against in October 2019.

Even Prince Charles Was Apparently Enraged

Even Prince Charles, who took Harry’s side during the alleged 2018 Christmas rift between the brothers, was upset about the announcement. Another alleged insider told The Sun newspaper that the royals are furious that Harry and Meghan showed such a lack of consideration for how this would affect the institute.

The source continues saying that the fact that they thought they could do as they pleased has left the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge are “incandescent with rage.” But if Prince Charles was angry with Harry he’s gotten over it since he has decided to continue offering financial support to his youngest son.

William May Have Been Upset For A Different Reason

The Sussex’s made their announcement on 8 January 2020. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton’s Birthday is on 9 January. That’s right, Harry and Meghan decided to announce their plans a day before their sister-in-law’s birthday. They even announced their new Sussex Royal organization on Kate's birthday.

But Kate has been upstaged on a big day before. During her wedding in 2011 her sisters Pippa Middleton stole the show, and her spotlight, in an Alexander McQueen designer dress. The Sussex’s did wish Kate well on her Birthday on her Instagram birthday post though.

And Then Another Anonymous Insider Spoke Of Royal Anger

Despite there being no public response, the US Weekly managed to dig up another anonymous source claiming that there was unrest between the royal siblings. The Source claimed that Harry and Meghan rubbed salt into the wounds of the Royals by announcing their decision the day before Kate’s birthday.

Apparently this decision rubbed William up the wrong way but The Duke of Cambridge later spoke of being sad and not angry about his brother’s decision. In a story in the Sunday Times, William said he wished he could put his arm around Harry like he always did, but admitted that they have become separate entities.

People Inevitably Chose Sides

As with any rift, it always generates two sets of support. While the anonymous royal insiders spoke mostly in favor of Buckingham Palace there were many, particularly from more reputable news sources, who were sympathetic towards Harry and Meghan.

This includes Tom Bradby, who covered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their tour in South Africa and is considered a friend of the Sussex's. He said that there were some harsh words and fallout before Harry and Meghan's wedding. And that some bad personal splits have ensued in the royal family over the last year. 

Both Sides Felt Aggrieved

Bradby shared further details of the situation within the royal setup saying that the other royals spoke of Sussex’s being difficult to deal with. On the other hand, from Harry and Meghan’s point of view, the journalist says that they feel like they’re being forced out of the family.

Bradby further explains that while he may not have told the Queen, his father, and brother that he was going to make the announcement, the idea of a change of roles was being discussed for some time. Apparently, in one meeting Harry was asked to put his proposal on paper so that it could be officially considered.

Meghan Had Left Britain

It was also reported that on the day of the announcement, Meghan had left Britain for Canada, where she and her son, Archie, were staying while they dealt with things in the UK. While the duchess was supposed to return to the U.K. not long after leaving, her move didn’t stop the press from speculating.

Even some celebrities got involved, including actress Bette Midler. Milder, according to the Independent newspaper, likened the royal treatment of Meghan to the way they treated the late Princess Diana. The Independent’s report even says the actress said she hoped Meghan bankrupts the royal family.

A Little Help From A Friend

This was followed by Invictus Games medalist and Harry’s friend, JJ Chalmers backing him up in the media, during an interview on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland show. One key point he made was that having a child changes people. Intimating that Harry intended to shield Archie from the media scrutiny that comes with being a royal.

A father himself, Chalmers served with Harry in Afghanistan and can relate to his friend's need to protect his child. The Scottish veteran was injured in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. Chalmers went on to win Invictus games gold for cycling. He is currently a TV presenter and public speaker.

Harry and Meghan’s Decision To Leave The Country

Chalmers backed Harry even further, saying that the press was partially to blame for the Sussex’s wanting to leave the country. He pointed out how social media reacts and how the British media represents people in stories and how ultimately, Harry would need to answer for these misrepresentations to his son.

Chalmers continues saying that at the end of the day, Harry grew up with the spotlight on him and knows the pressure of media scrutiny. He ultimately wants to know that he made the right decisions for his child. Chalmers also mentioned that Harry was aware of how this could end if not handled correctly.

Harry Bites Back At The Media

While he has always been in the spotlight and learned to deal with the press attention he gets, things started getting complicated with the media in 2016 after he started dating Meghan. At one point British tabloids printed a spate of defamatory and racially charged articles about Meghan that were further aggravated by internet trolls.

Harry released a statement that criticized the press for their treatment of Meghan. He stated that while the press may say that it’s part of the game when being involved with a royal,  common sense suggests that it isn't a game when real lives are involved.

Meghan Opened Up About Her Struggles With The British Media

During her tour in South Africa with Harry, Meghan opened up about her experiences with the British media to Journalist Tom Bradby. The reporter was accompanying the royal couple to record a documentary called Harry and Meghan: An African Journey and got some revealing answers from Both of them.

In the 2019 documentary, Meghan explained that she found it difficult to deal with the British media. The duchess is filmed telling the journalist she doesn’t know anyone who would be okay with people saying things about them after being told that it isn’t true.

Brother’s Drifting Apart

Bradby uncovered more revealing info when Harry opened up about his relationship with his brother, William. He said that, due to the pressure of their roles as royals, he and William had drifted apart. Harry showed no malice though and said that they will always be brothers though.

In an article for Sunday Times after the announcement broke, Bradby suggested that there was more going on behind the scenes. And if the Sussex's were to give a tell-all interview, it could be damaging for the royal family. He also remarked that there was a sense of jealousy towards the Sussex's among certain members of the royal family.

Different Paths At The Moment

Delving further into their drifting, Harry says that he and William don’t see each other as much as they used to. The brothers founded the Royal Foundation together to further their charity work together, but Harry eventually left the organization to start his own one with his wife Meghan.

But despite them growing apart, Harry told Bradby he would always be there for William, and as he understands, William will always be there for him. He also made it clear that, while brothers will have good and bad days, the rumors of rifts between them are created out of nothing.

So Did The Announcement Make A Rift Between The Brothers?

Harry’s statement about brother’s having good and bad days rings true. It also gives some perspective on the reaction the media had regarding their relationship after the announcement on 8 January 2020. We’ll never know whether there was a conflict that was resolved, whether the brothers had a rift and whether they’re on speaking terms or not.

But It’s common knowledge that tabloids run on a model of conflict being the best seller of papers. As such, they would use any opportunity to tell a story of the conflict in the royal house. However, on January 12, 2020, the British newspaper The Sunday Times revealed some candid, supportive words from William.

And The Tabloids Actually Helped Make William’s Feelings Clear

According to the Sunday Times, they had information from a private conversation William had with an unnamed friend about “Megxit”, which is what the press had dubbed the Sussex’s departure.  This is when William said that he’s put his arm around Harry all their lives, but couldn’t anymore; because they’re separate entities.

The British press has a history of going through great lengths to get information, from phone hacking to police bribery. This all came to the fore in the famous News International phone-hacking scandal, where high profile names like Rupert Murdoch were brought to task for hacking the phones of celebrities and royals.

William Wants The Team Playing As One Again

The Duke of Cambridge continued, telling the friend that all he can do is support his brother and his wife in their endeavors. But what he really hopes is for things to go back to normal, and for the Royal family to start playing like a team again.

It was later revealed in People magazine that the brothers spent some quality time together discussing their relationship and their own way forward. This was while the royal family was meeting at the Sandringham Summit the day after the Sunday Times revealed the prince’s conversation.

The Sandringham Summit

A conversation so important it got its own name, the Sandringham Summit was a parley that the Queen had scheduled to iron out the details of Harry and Meghan’s announcement. The meeting included herself, William, Prince Charles, and Harry. Meghan, who was in Canada at the time, joined via internet video call.

The move was seen as a bit of a power play by the head monarch. Instead of finding a neutral place to do the talks, she summoned her son and his sons to her private home. Sandringham is an estate in Norfolk England where Queen Elizbeth II's father and grandfather passed away.

And The Outcome Of The Summit?

Following the summit discussions, the Queen released one of her most personable statements in years regarding the outcome of the discussions. Her Majesty described the discussions fruitful and also referred to Harry and Meghan by their names instead of titles. She also referred to Harry as her grandson.

The statement also confirmed that the royals are supporting Harry and Meghan’s decision, in spite of the fact that they would much rather have them on board as senior royals. It ended off saying that the Sussex’s will have a period of transition to settle in and practice living between Canada and England.

But Not Everything Was Resolved At Sandringham

Of course, not everything was ironed out at the Sandringham Summit. A source told People Magazine that in spite of the progress made in the meetings, there is still a lot of complex thought that needs to be put into the request made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The insider source also told the magazine that the queen wants this resolved quickly, as in days, not weeks. While some members of the press wanted to find the positives from the summit, others looked for conflict.

Joint Attack On The Media Scourge

Then, shortly after Sandringham, The Times newspaper ran a story claiming that William had bullied Harry out of the royal family, effectively initiating the Sussex’s exit plan. But the brothers were having none of it and released a joint statement refuting these claims.

The announcement attacked the speculations head on stating that despite clear denials from sources. They still went ahead and published the damaging story. The statement also referred to them as brothers and mentioned that due to their views on issues surrounding mental health, they found the language used in the article offensive and harmful.

A United Front But Still Divided Brothers?

But even though this united front, sources still told People Magazine that despite their relationship is better than expected, they didn’t leave Sandringham on good terms and were basically just relieved that it was all over.

This was of course in stark contrast to a previous report in the same magazine saying that the two actually patched their relationship while at Sandringham and even spent some time alone together to speak about their relationship. It was even suggested that they did this on their own, without a nudge from the higher royals.

Both Brothers Are Deeply Unhappy

In a report by the Daily Mail newspaper, it’s claimed that Harry was in fact in turmoil about leaving the royals, and Meghan was the one driving the campaign to leave. This is what prompted the stern joint statement by the brothers.

Despite there calm handling of the situation, Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent for the Daily Mail, claimed that they were deeply unhappy about the reports. English took to Twitter to shed a little light on the situation tweeting, that Harry was particularly upset about the suggestion that he has been bullied out of the royal family by William.

The Palace Released A Statement

While the brothers were dealing with the newspapers as a united force, they were also in continued discussions with the rest of the royals about the Sussex exit plan. Eventually, on 18 January, the Palace released a statement from the Queen saying that after months of conversations, all parties have found a constructive and supportive way forward for Harry and Meghan.

This statement proved the theory that the announcement wasn’t as big a bombshell as initially let on to be, and that discussions about this new role had been going on for months. This statement also showed a sensitive side to Her Majesty The Queen.

A Heartfelt Recognition

In the statement, Queen Elizabeth forewent all formality and referred to Harry and Meghan by their names and not their titles. This could be seen as an early snub for their non-royalty, but the rest of the statement suggests the queen was genuinely emotional about the whole ordeal.

The Queen proclaimed that Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be loved members of the royal family and while she would prefer them to stay on as royals, she recognizes the challenges they have faced. She also supported their ambition of independence and commended Meghan for integrating into the family so quickly.

And What Were The Details Relating To The Sussex’s?

As for the details regarding the Sussex’s role in the royal family, a statement from Buckingham Palace followed the Queen’s announcement and cleared some of these matters up. They would obviously have to step back from royal duties and as such, not receive the public funds that fund royal endeavors.

Harry would also have to forego his military positions, not be referred to as by their royal majesty. They will also, as requested by them, pay back the fund used to renovate their Frogmore Cottage home. The letter did speak of certain benefits they would keep.

With The Queen’s Blessing

The message to the public continued, stating that, despite losing their HRH status, with The Queen’s blessing, the Sussex’s can keep using their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles along with all of its associations. They were also allowed to keep Frogmore Cottage as their home, for when they are in the UK.

As a token of their appreciation, the Sussex’s have decided that, although they can no longer formally represent The Queen, they will still ensure that everything they do continues to uphold the values of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Best Choice He Could Have Made

The day after The Queen's announcement, the Duke of Sussex was speaking about his position during an event for Sentebale, a charity he founded in 2006. At the event, Harry talked about how he didn’t make the choices he made lightly and that it took months before they could finalize the official agreement.

Prince Harry also acknowledged that while he hasn’t always made the right decisions in his life, he feels he had no option in terms of this decision. He did reiterate that he and Meghan will still do work in the name of the royal family, despite not being allowed to receive payment for it.

He Found The Love That He’s Wanted

Prince Harry continued saying that he had found the love he’d wanted his whole life with Meghan. Although he felt compelled to protect his family from the life he knew his whole life, he is not entirely walking away from his royal responsibilities.

Harry reiterated his respect for his grandmother, the queen, as well as his gratefulness to the rest of his family for their support over the months of discussions. He also promised to hold his country dear and continue supporting the causes, charities, and military communities that are so important to him.

Harry and William had Finally Reconciled

Despite the positive outcomes, there was still some time for reports of disdain between Harry and William. According to People magazine, William was resentful because Harry was leaving for Canada while he has the job of putting everything back together again. There was even talk of tension at the annual Commonwealth Day Service.

But by the end of March, all of this was debunked, with the same magazine reporting that Harry and William are communicating regularly. The source of this information was none other than Meghan, who apparently shared the info with her inner circle.

Harry Is Now Officially Off The Royal Books

With Harry officially off duty as a royal from 1 April 2020, he is in Canada with Megan and Archie. One royal insider spoke of William realizing that he needed to sort things out Harry before they moved away. The insider also said that while there have been differences of opinion, the family warmth is back.

It was recently reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have left Canada for Los Angeles. It’s believed that they made the move to be closer to Meghan’s parents and their Hollywood agents. They also moved just in time as shortly after their move, the Canadian border was closed due to COVID-19.