Royal experts blast Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over ‘spiteful’ and ‘completely unnecessary’ statement after the Queen forced them to drop Sussex Royal brand name – and one commentator fears ‘it will get WORSE’
- Richard Fitzwilliams said the couple had unnecessarily ‘underlined’ differences
- Prince Charles’ biographer Tom Bower said he feared it would ‘get worse’
- Harry and Meghan released a statement saying they would not use Sussex Royal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been criticised by royal commentators over their ‘spiteful’ and ‘completely unnecessary’ statement after the Queen forced them to drop the Sussex Royal brand name.
One commentator even blasted their words as showing Meghan’s ‘true colours’ and said that he feared things ‘will only get worse’.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they would drop the word royal last night before adding that the Queen does not have international jurisdiction over its use.
Richard Fitzwilliams called the timing ‘excruciating’
Royal commentator and former Editor of International Who’s Who, Richard Fitzwilliams, told MailOnline that the statement was ‘completely unnecessary’ as it ‘underlines their differences with the palace in a way that is avoidable’.
‘The idea of putting out a statement which agrees that they can’t use the word royal but contradicts the idea the monarchy can stop them using it,’ he said, ‘they’re basically saying the royals can’t stop them using it, but they won’t be using it’.
‘It has been especially unnecessary to underline it in this way, especially as the agreement will be reviewed after a year.
‘It simply empathises the division that we know that’s there.
‘The tone they’ve taken is that they are unhappy, they’ve made it clear every step of the way.’
Prince Charles’ biographer Tom Bower
Prince Charles’ biographer Tom Bower told MailOnline that the public is ‘finally seeing Meghan’s true nature and motives’.
‘Her comments about the Queen’s decision smacks of spiteful fury,’ he said. ‘I fear it will get worse.’
In their sour statement released yesterday and published to Instagram the Duke and Duchess said: ‘While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020.’
In terse words the couple also outlined how they ‘will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son’.
‘The preference of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was to continue to represent and support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity, while not drawing on the sovereign grant,’ they said.
The Duke and Duchess quit the royal family this year to start a new life together in Canada with their son Archie.
They have since made an estimated £750,000 for speaking at an event for bank JP Morgan, and have also faced criticism for allegedly sending their security guards to fetch ethical meals for them.
The Queen has left the door open for the Duke and Duchess. Although Prince Harry will no longer serve in his military roles, these will not be filled, and she has offered to review the deal in a year which leaves room for further re-conciliation.
The sixth-in-line to the throne and his wife are expected to rake in millions as they launch their life outside the royal family on March 31.