Topics: Royal Family, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William
Meghan Markle was left in tears after Buckingham Palace issued a statement denying claims that both she and Prince Harry were bullied out of their royal roles by Prince William.
In the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the Sussexes recalled the moment they saw the statement which was released under Prince Harry and Prince William's names but was allegedly released without the former's consent.
Prince Harry claimed the incident left him angry, and his wife in tears.
“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.
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“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."
But what exactly did the statement say?
It came shortly after Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back as senior Royals in 2020.
A source quoted by The Times claimed that the couple chose to step down due to the 'bullying' attitude of Prince William, with the source going on to claim Harry and Meghan were sick of 'constantly being told their place'.
The short statement, which said it came from 'a Spokesperson for The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex' but 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 expert made fresh claims about why exactly Harry and Meghan left the Royal Family.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step down as senior working royals, shockwaves were sent through the entire 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 added: “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 which is where they are raising their two children; Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.
While people have a general understanding of why the couple chose to leave, given the hate Meghan received after their royal wedding, royal author Valentine Low suggested that the couple also wanted to pursue financial independence which could only be achieved in the US.
In his book, the author claimed: "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."
