

- Earlier this week, news broke that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal exit will be permanent.
- Buckingham Palace released a statement outlining the news and what it means for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who will lose their remaining royal patronages and honorary titles.
- In response, Harry and Meghan released a tense statement of their own which sources close to the royal family say left Harry's brother, Prince William, "really sad and genuinely shocked."
Last week, Buckingham Palace released its statement about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal exit becoming permanent—and what that meant for their remaining titles and patronages. Specifically, Harry is being stripped of his honorary military titles and both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are being removed from their official royal patronages.
In its official statement on the issue, the Palace wrote:
"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.
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.
While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."
In response, Harry and Meghan released a brief (and widely-interpreted as tense) statement of their own. "As evidenced by their work over the past year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal," a spokesperson for the couple said.
Following today’s statement from Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson for the Sussexes says: pic.twitter.com/dlCWlQISiQFebruary 19, 2021
Harry and Meghan's statement has reportedly upset some in royal circles—including Harry's brother, Prince William. According to a Sunday Times report, William is "really sad and genuinely shocked" by the statement, which another source close to the royal family described as "petulant and insulting to the Queen."
Explaining the outrage the Sussexes' statement has stirred up within royal circles, another source close to the situation said, "You don’t answer the Queen back—it’s just not done." According to Page Six, William isn't alone and other members of the royal family are also "stunned" not just by the fact that Harry and Meghan publicly replied to the Palace's statement, but by the tone of the statement their spokesperson shared.
In the wake of the royal exit, William is said to have been struggling with the breakdown of his relationship with Harry.
"Once he got over the anger of how things happened, he was left with the absence of his brother," a royal aide explained. "They had shared everything about their lives—an office, a foundation, meetings together most days—and there was a lot of fun along the way. He’ll miss it forever."
William also reportedly feels more pressure personally now that Harry has stepped back from royal duties. A friend of William's said the Duke of Cambridge "definitely feels the pressure now it’s all on him. His future looks different because of his brother’s choices—it’s not easy."
Here's hoping that any added tension between the royals is just the result of miscommunications and that they'll be able to resolve things when travel becomes possible again.
RELATED STORIES
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
The British Royal Family Could Learn a Thing or Two from the Danish Royals
After a bitter family feud last year that played out in public (does that sound familiar?), the entire royal family of Denmark will spend Christmas together under one roof.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Brigitte Macron’s Jaw Dropped When She Saw Queen Máxima of the Netherlands’ Gown at an Exhibition in Paris Last Night
Their husbands, French president Emmanuel Macron and King Willem-Alexander, were not present for this apparent girls’ night out.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Rachel McAdams Pairs A Givenchy Dress With Bulgari Jewelry On the Red Carpet This Week
It was a rare red carpet appearance for the actress.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Omid Scobie Suggests That Meghan Markle Is Poised to Become the Next Martha Stewart
Duchess, philanthropist, lifestyle guru?
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Nearly Four Years After Leaving the U.K., Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are “Embarking On a Total System Reboot”
“They are all about the future.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Once the Peacemaker Between Prince William and Prince Harry, Princess Kate Now Considers Her Relationship With Harry Over
It’s one of many bombshells Omid Scobie is dropping this week in his new book.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Even Though the Sussexes Knew They Weren’t On the Same Page with Spotify, They Still Signed $20M Deal Because They “Needed Serious Money,” Author Claims
“The money was on the table, and they were in a desperate place.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle Haven’t Spoken Since 2019, New Book Claims—and Yes, That Includes at Joint Appearances
The “silence was palpable” as Kate and Meghan rode in a car together to Windsor Castle for a walkabout after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Distraught Over Being Asked to Vacate Frogmore Cottage Earlier This Year, Prince Harry Asked His Father King Charles a Heartbreaking Question
The Frogmore eviction has long been seen as a retaliatory move for the publication of Harry’s memoir, ‘Spare,’ just weeks earlier.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Now We Know Why Meghan Markle Didn’t Attend King Charles’ Coronation Last May
In his new book, ‘Endgame,’ Omid Scobie explains that Meghan has no intention of returning to England anytime soon—or possibly ever.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle Almost Wore a Tiara That Would Have Poignantly Honored Princess Diana
Instead, Queen Elizabeth insisted that Meghan choose from her personal collection.
By Rachel Burchfield