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There's a reason Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, famously refers to them as The Firm.
By Bernadette Giacomazzo — Written on Jan 22, 2020
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are arguably the most popular members of the British Royal Family, but their recent decision to give up their duties in order to live "a more peaceful life" — splitting their time between North America and the UK — has royal watchers the world over wondering what the rest of the Windsors — referred to by some as "The Firm" — really think and feel about the couple and their departure from the royal status quo.
Are Queen Elizabeth II and future heirs to the throne Prince Charles and Prince William happy for their respective grandson, son and younger brother? Are the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge — i.e., Camilla Parker Bowles and Kate Middleton — jealous, relieved, sad or indifferent to the event being referred to by some as "Megxit"?
How does the British Royal Family really feel about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
Less than 24 hours after Prince Harry arrived back in Canada to join his wife and son at the massive estate they've been residing in on Vancouver Island since Christmas, the Sussexes already embroiled in fresh legal drama with Canadian paparazzi.
After photos were taken (and subsequently published) of the Duchess of Sussex strolling happily with baby Archie, 8 months, strapped to his Mum in a front carrier as she walked two of their six dogs, Buckingham Palace confirmed that lawyers "issued a legal notice to UK press, TV and photo agencies, concerning the use of paparazzi agency photos."
So not the smoothest of all possible beginnings.
Here's what we know about how key figures in the Royal Family — including the Queen, Prince William and step-mum Camilla — seem to feel about the departure of renegade royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
1. Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is reportedly happy about the 'Megxit' deal.
After a deal was finalized to establish clear terms and firm boundaries around what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced via Instagram on January 8 was their intention 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," photographer Arthur Edwards, an expert on the British monarchy. noted that Markle appears to be the "only one in the royal family who isn’t upset about her and husband Prince Harry’s decision to step back from their senior official duties and lose their HRH titles."
“Harry's sad. The Queen's sad. The Prince of Wales is sad," he said, "but they're still going ahead with it. The only person that doesn't seem to be sad and seems to be having a good time is Meghan, and I think she has driven this.”
2. Prince Harry appears sad, yet hopeful.
In his first public appearance after the formal deal was announced, Harry appeared to be in good spirits, if notably somewhat disappointed.
"So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share," Harry said, "not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years -- but with a clearer perspective.
"Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we were here to serve ...I t brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven't always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option."
Check out the full video of Prince Harry's speech below.
3. The Queen is believed to be supportive but sad she will miss out on time with her grandson and great-grandson.
The Queen has long been known to have an especially close relationship with her grandson Harry, and it's been reported that she is especially sad to see so little of great-grandson Archie.
"She will be very sad to have barely seen Archie," sources say, "and that he will miss out on growing up with his cousins and wider family."
On January 18, Queen Elizabeth II released this official statement regarding Prince Harry and Meghan's departure from their official roles:
"Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.
"I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.
"I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.
"It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life."
A separate statement was issued on the same date and page on behalf of Buckingham Palace.
That message lacks any emotional position, laying out the details of their arrangement instead. It reads as follows:
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
"As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments. They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties.
"With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.
"The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.
"Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security.
"This new model will take effect in the Spring of 2020."
4. Future King and Duke of Cambridge Prince William insists there is no ill-will and only love between himself and his brother.
Soon after the Sussexes' initial announcement of their decision, Princes William and Harry attempted to put an end to rumors that William's reportedly cold treatment of Markle caused an irreparable rift between them.
The joint statement released by their offices is believed to reference an article published in the The Times of London which, "citing an unnamed source, reported that Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by 'a bullying attitude' of William who had not been welcoming to Meghan."
"Despite clear denials," the brothers said, "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 potentially harmful.”
5. Future Queen and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is rumored to be upset, but she has yet to comment on the matter.
Rumors of a rivalry between the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex have been relentless since Harry and Meghan were first engaged.
While she has not commented publicly on the situation, an unnamed source has said Duchess Kate is "incredibly hurt" by Markle and Prince Harry's actions, especially since she "acted as a mentor to Harry before Meghan came into the picture and hates seeing her husband so upset."
6. Despite rumors that he is upset, (also future King) Prince Charles is said to be supportive of Prince Harry and Meghan.
As part of their efforts to be "financially independent" from the Crown, Meghan and Prince Harry will have to pay back the estimated $3.1 million taxpayers already spent renovating Frogmore Cottage, their private residence at Windsor Castle. They will also no longer receive any public funding from the sovereign grant provided by the British treasury.
However, while Prince Charles also has yet to offer any official comment, it is believed he will continue to provide them with an annual allowance from the Duchy of Cornwall,
As explained on the Duchy's official website, "The Duchy of Cornwall is a well-managed private estate, which was established by Edward III in 1337. The revenues from the estate are passed to HRH The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, who chooses to use them to fund his public, charitable and private activities and those of his family. The Duchy consists of around 53,000 hectares of land in 23 counties, mostly in the South West of England. The principal activity of the Duchy is the sustainable, commercial management of its land and properties. The Duchy also has a financial investment portfolio."
As for his feelings about it all, a report in the Sunday Times of London claims Charles "is despondent at possibly missing out on the same bond with Archie." That said, the Times is the same publication just chastized by his two sons for their false reports, so his true emotions remain unknown to the public at this time.
7. That said, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles couldn't pass up the opportunity to throw proper shade.
Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall (who honestly has no room to throw shade at anyone) recently made what seemed to be a snarky remark at her step-son and step-daughter-in-law's expense.
When asked by ITV News if she will miss Prince Harry and Meghan, Camilla paused briefly, smiled cheekily, winked, and coyly replied, "'Course."
You can check out this video of the exchange below and decide for yourself how she meant that.
Bernadette Giacomazzo is an editor, writer, publicist, and photographer whose work has appeared in Teen Vogue, People, Us Weekly, The Source, XXL, HipHopDX, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, BET, and more.