The royal family faced a significant upheaval back in 2020 when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down from their roles as senior royals.
Their choice sent shockwaves through Buckingham Palace, leaving many, including the late Prince Philip, deeply distressed.
According to royal author Christopher Anderson, Philip’s sentiments shifted dramatically regarding Markle after the pair’s exit from royal duties.
In his revealing book, Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan, Anderson discusses Philip’s emotional response after he learned of Harry and Meghan’s plan to relocate to the U.S.
The Duke of Edinburgh was reportedly “furious” and voiced his discontent to his wife, the late Queen, expressing feelings of betrayal regarding Markle’s impact on Harry.
Anderson recounts that Philip conveyed his frustrations to a close aide, stating, “It seems we were wrong about her all along.”
He went so far as to declare, “This shows a complete lack of respect,” during discussions with the Queen.
It seems that this shift in perception mirrored Prince Charles’ own evolving attitude towards Markle, raising eyebrows among royal watchers.
Reports from royal insiders have claimed that Charles’ reactions to Harry’s drastic changes were intense, with a staff member describing his response as “frightening”.
Allegedly, Charles attempted to reach out to Harry in hopes of mending fences.
These sentiments were echoed in Ingrid Seward’s biography, Prince Philip Revealed, which asserts that Philip viewed Harry’s actions as a grave disappointment.
Seward describes Philip feeling a profound sense of loss seeing his grandson’s departure as a failure to uphold his royal duties—a sentiment reminiscent of Edward VIII’s abdication in 1937 for Wallis Simpson.
She conveyed to People magazine, “For a man whose entire life has been dedicated to duty, Harry’s decision felt like a tragic abdication of responsibility.”
Despite his harsh stance, Philip struggled to comprehend what made Harry’s royal journey so unbearable.
Seward noted that the Duke’s unflattering nickname for Markle stemmed from a perceived comparison between her and Simpson, stating Philip often referred to Markle as “The Duchess of Windsor” in private discussions.
Simpson’s story, after marrying Prince Edward, was one of scandal, as she had been divorced twice before.
This history cast a long shadow, leading Philip to draw parallels that he could not escape as he reflected on Harry’s choices.
While Philip may have understood the challenges of royal life as an outsider himself, he found it difficult to extend the same empathy to Meghan.
Seward affirmed that Philip felt some sympathy for Markle, noting he had faced similar challenges when he married Queen Elizabeth II.
Nevertheless, she pointed out that at his advanced age, he was limited in how much he could intervene in his grandchildren’s lives, citing a disconnect due to fatigue and reduced energy levels.
The couple’s January 2020 announcement, which declared their intention to carve a path separate from the royal family, was a bombshell.
They articulated this decision after a period of reflection, claiming it was in pursuit of a healthier family life.
Their struggles with intrusive media coverage as new parents were part of their rationale.
Seward continued, expressing how Philip would likely have viewed the couple’s move as detrimental to the monarchy’s reputation.
“It all came as a huge shock,” she reflected, suggesting that had Philip been younger, he might have played a significant role in guiding Harry toward a more informed decision.
Despite his deep disappointment, Philip remained steadfast in his support for the Queen, recognizing the far-reaching implications of Harry and Meghan’s departure.
He was acutely aware of how this situation would invite public scrutiny regarding the monarchy’s treatment of its members.
Reflecting on the broader repercussions, Seward added that parallels to Edward VIII were hard to ignore, especially with Harry’s relationship involving an American divorcée.
She drew attention to Meghan’s struggles to adapt to royal expectations and hinted at her sentiment that England never fully embraced her—much like Simpson’s experience.
Seward concluded by highlighting Philip’s unwavering dedication to duty, stating, “He always prioritized the institution above personal sentiments.” The complexities surrounding Harry and Meghan’s exit from royal duties illuminated the generational divide within the family, underscoring the heightened pressures placed upon modern royals amidst evolving societal expectations.
