Meghan Markle was in tears when Buckingham Palace published a statement claiming that Prince William forced her and Prince Harry out of their royal positions.
In the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the Sussexes described the moment they saw the statement, which was released in the names of Prince Harry and Prince William but purportedly without the former’s agreement.
Prince Harry claimed the incident made him angry and his wife cry.
“That day, a story came out that part of the reason why Meghan and I were leaving was because William had bullied us out,” the Prince said.
“I couldn’t believe it. No one had asked me permission to put my name to a statement like that. And I rang M and I told her and she burst into floods of tears because within four hours they were happy to lie to protect my brother and yet for three years, they were never willing to tell the truth to protect us.”
What exactly did the statement say?
It occurred shortly after Harry and Meghan declared they will step down as senior Royals in 2020.
According to a source reported by The Times, the couple elected to step down due to Prince William’s ‘bullying’ attitude, with the source adding that Harry and Meghan were tired of ‘constantly being taught their place’.
The short statement, which claimed to be from ‘a Spokesperson for The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex’ but which Harry later denied all knowledge of, read: “Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge.
“For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and harmful.”
Back in 2022, a royal analyst revealed new accusations about why Harry and Meghan quit the Royal Family.
The decision by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to step down as senior working royals sent sh0ckwaves throughout the Royal Family.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family,” the Palace said at the time.
“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.
“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.”
It commented: “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
The Sussexes settled in Montecito, Santa Barbara, California, where they raise their two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.
While most people understand why the couple decided to leave, given the backlash Meghan faced following their royal wedding, royal author Valentine Low speculated that the couple also wanted to pursue financial independence, which could only be attained in the United States.
In his book, the author assumed: “Some suspected that in the end she wanted to make money. And the only way she was going to do that was by leaving her royal life behind and going back to America.”
