SerpApi.Org
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's strained ties with the royal family now appear irreparable.
The rift between the Sussexes and the royals can be traced back to their decision to step back from royal responsibilities. A charming image of Prince George reportedly acted as a "wake up call" for Harry and Meghan, cementing their resolve to leave The Firm, according to an expert.
The image featured the late Queen Elizabeth with her three heirs - the then-Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George, who was just six years old at the time - in the throne room at Buckingham Palace. It was released in early 2020, mere days before Harry and Meghan first announced their intention to resign as working royals - a move that some experts believe they later regretted. And Prince Harry exposed Meghan's 'baby brain' comment that disgusted Kate Middleton.
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On the surface, the image simply highlighted the monarchy's future and echoed many historical portraits. However, it allegedly caused considerable upset behind the scenes.
In his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, Andrew Morton wrote, "The royal couple suspected that the entire institution was conspiring against them. As they saw it, the evidence was all around them. The unspoken code was straightforward: the future of the monarchy was assured, with or without Meghan and Harry."
Speaking to The Mirror's podcast Pod Save The King, Morton further disclosed that Harry and Meghan had begun considering their departure from The Firm much earlier than the public realized, revealing that discussions started just six months after their wedding.
He stated, "Harry was having conversations in a London hotel with Oprah Winfrey back in November 2018, just six months after they'd been married. So they were thinking about a different direction of travel pretty early on."
This follows Harry receiving considerable criticism this week after an interview with BBC News, coming shortly after a judge dismissed his legal challenge regarding his diminished security arrangements following his choice to resign as a working royal in 2020.
During the interview, Harry stated, "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore."
"Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has," he added, in what seemed to be a reference to King Charles. "He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile."
Harry proceeded further, asserting his security issues "could be resolved" through King Charles. "There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands," he stated. "Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts to do what is necessary."
Buckingham Palace has repeatedly insisted the King lacks the power to restore Harry's security provisions.
In response, one insider told the Sunday Telegraph that it showed there is "nothing that can be trusted to remain private" and "as for their being no contact, well, he has just proven why, yet again."
A separate source told ITV News, "For a son who claims to want a family reconciliation, it's certainly a very curious way to build bridges or offer olive branches. His beloved grandmother would have been truly horrified. The King is a kind man with a warm heart and quite enough on his plate to deal with, without all this from his son."
It comes as Prince William faces a major parenting showdown as Prince George turns 13.
