‘Disrespectful’ Prince Harry in crisis talks with Queen after ‘directly flouting her authority’ with bombshell
PRINCE Harry has been locked in crisis talks with the Queen after "directly flouting" her authority with his bombshell decision to quit the Royal Family.
The Duke of Sussex has been left to pick up the pieces by Meghan Markle, who has jetted back to Canada to rejoin their son Archie.
And Harry is said to have left the Queen "deeply distressed" by his sensational announcement he and Meghan would be quitting as senior royals and moving to North America.
No other members of the Royal Family were consulted before the shock statement was issued on Wednesday and the "hurt" Monarch was taken by surprise.
A source said: "Everyone believes the Sussexes have been deeply disrespectful."
What we know so far:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have quit as senior royals
- They defied The Queen's order not to make their bombshell announcement this week, it is claimed
- The royals were locked in crisis talks today over the revelation
- Prince William and Prince Charles only received a copy of the Sussexes' statement ten minutes before it went online
- They want to be 'financially independent' but will still support the Queen
Harry, 35, is staying in Britain to host the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw next week.
But he has now been drawn into crunch talks with the rest of his family after a Buckingham Palace source revealed the quickie divorce could "take days not weeks".
The Queen yesterday led a crunch meeting of the four households as she dialled in from Sandringham, Charles from Scotland, William on the phone in London and Harry speaking from home in Windsor.
Meghan and Harry dropped a bombshell statement on Wednesday night announcing they were to split their time between the UK and North America.
The couple also said they would work towards being "financially independent" - but are still retaining certain royal privileges.
HOW THE NEWS WENT DOWN WITH THE ROYALS
A senior source told The Sun: “Their statement was not cleared with anyone. It breaks all protocol. This is a declaration of war on the family.
“There is fury over how they’ve done this without any thought for the implications for the institution. The Queen is deeply upset. The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge are incandescent with rage.
“Courtiers can’t believe it. There are so many unanswered questions but they’ve just up and done it without a thought for anyone else.
“The plan was there to discuss it and work out a way that works for everyone in the family."
Both have since been slammed for wanting to "have their cake and eat it" as they will still enjoy £2million a year from Prince Charles' estate, security and their home renovated by the taxpayer.
The tension and distraction also overshadowed Kate Middleton's 38th birthday celebrations.
Harry reportedly defied instructions from the Queen not to announce their plans, after she requested he hold off until he talked it over with his father.
And Prince Charles told his son he needed more time after he was sent a draft proposal about his future role, particularly on the issue of funding.
Sources claimed the pair would be "punished" for rolling out their plans without warning.
How Harry and Meghan quit the royal family
- Harry first contacted dad Charles about spending more time in North America just before Christmas, but was told he needed a thought-out plan;
- He sent a draft proposal about his future role to Charles early in the New Year but was again informed more time was needed to think through the implications, particularly over funding
- Harry sought a summit with the Queen at Sandringham as soon as he returned from his Canada break his week;
- He was told that while the Queen was happy to meet him, she would not discuss his wishlist before he had discussed it in detail with Charles;
- Courtiers blocked the meeting but the Queen made it clear to Harry that he should not go public about his plans at this time.
And the Queen's ex-press spokesman Dickie Arbiter argued on Good Morning Britain she will be feeling "more angry" than after Prince Andrew's "car crash" Newsnight interview discussing his involvement in the Epstein scandal.
The Duke and Duchess said in their surprise statement yesterday evening: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
"We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.
"It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
"This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.
"We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”