Princess Eugenie is pregnant with her second child, and announced the happy news on Instagram in January. Only after that did the Palace confirm the news.
Similarly (though far more controversially), it appears Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would be using "Prince" and "Princess" titles for their children without confirming the move with the Palace beforehand.
In both situations, the Sussexes and their good friend (and cousin) Eugenie aren't working royals, and therefore it makes sense for them not to go through the Palace when making public announcements.
Royal historian Marlene Koenig first commented on Eugenie's pregnancy announement in particular. "The Palace announced she was expecting her first child in 2020," she told Express.
"This time they confirmed it rather than announcing it because Andrew no longer has an office. The first news of the second pregnancy was on her Instagram account."
Koenig continued, "In a normal situation, members of the Royal Family use the official channels to make announcements, and I should point out that this applies to what has become the term 'working royals.'
"Harry is not a working royal, he is not obligated, and has no interest in using the Palace to make announcements about his family. Harry and Meghan do not come under the auspices of Buckingham Palace. They left."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
The Sussexes have previously stressed that they want people to know only what they choose to share about their lives, and have heavily criticized the way the Royal Family shares information.
"Harry is going to do his own thing. It’s clear that he and his wife are determined to control their own narrative," Koenig said.
"The Palace’s press office has no real involvement with Harry and Meghan. News about Harry and Meghan is going to come from Harry and Meghan."
But just because that's the way things are—and are expected to be—doesn't mean that all of this separation doesn't signal huge difficulties between the Sussexes and the working royals.
"The rift is huge," Koenig said.
"I don’t think it's likely to be repaired anytime soon, unfortunately. The Sussexes want the rift healed on their terms. I don’t think that’s going to happen."
The expert is right: The U.S.-based royal couple has been invited to the coronation, but are allegedly waiting to RSVP until the King cedes to some of their requests for the event.
This comes after the fallout of Harry's memoir Spare, their eviction from Frogmore Cottage, and the general rift that has been steadily deepening ever since Harry and Meghan first stepped down as working royals. Repair—though not impossible—will prove to be a very, very difficult task at this stage.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Selena Gomez's Cannes Red Carpet Look Deserves a Standing Ovation
This look is an all-time best for the actress.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
King Charles Announces His First Overseas Trip Since Cancer Diagnosis
The monarch is finding a way to return to normalcy as he continues cancer treatments.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Benny Blanco Reveals the Sweet Way He Spoiled Selena Gomez Ahead of Their One-Year Anniversary
"I spoke with her grandma, I spoke with her mom, her best friend and this is what I came up with."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Nigeria Trip Seems to Be the First of Many Royal Tour-Esque Visits the Couple Want to Undertake
“Being able to be on the ground, to us, is what it’s all about,” Harry said.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Calms Prince Harry Down and Helps Him with Anxiety at Public Engagements, Royal Commenter Says
The couple will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary this weekend after a whirlwind three-day visit to Nigeria.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Almost 5 Years On From Heartbreaking "Not Really OK" Interview in Africa, Meghan Markle Says "We're Really Happy" During Nigeria Tour
A poignant update.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Brought a Personal Photographer with Them to Visit Nigeria Over the Weekend
It’s a name that you’ll no doubt recognize, at that.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
California's Attorney General's Office Confirms That Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Nonprofit Archewell Is "In Good Standing"
The nonprofit had briefly been labeled "delinquent" due to a lost check, but the issue was quickly resolved.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Would “Love to Reconnect” with Princess Kate—But Royal Biographer Says Prince William Won’t Have It
“Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis,” according to Christopher Andersen.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Reportedly Declined King Charles' Offer to Stay in a Royal Residence on U.K. Visit
The plot thickens.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Land in Nigeria After Briefly Reuniting in London
They have a full program for their three days in the West African country.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published