Prince Harry and Meghan Markle defied strict orders from the Queen not to make their shocking “Megxit” announcement — and “will be punished” for their rebellion, according to a report Thursday.
The Duke of Sussex had already been warned by his father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, not to make any rash decisions on his future role in the royal household, senior sources told the Evening Standard.
Queen Elizabeth II then gave her grandson strict instructions not to make any announcements after he requested a face-to-face with her at her country retreat, Sandringham, the sources told the paper.
But the Sussexes went ahead anyway — only alerting Charles and Harry’s brother, Prince William, 10 minutes before they released the statement that shocked the world Wednesday, according to the report.
Their defiance sparked unprecedented “hurt” and “disappointment,” the sources said — and will lead to repercussions.
“Harry and Meghan will be punished for this,” senior courtiers told the London paper, without offering details.
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Harry had first approached his father before Christmas about wanting to spend more time overseas, the report said.
Charles told his son he needed a more though-out plan, and Harry sent a draft proposal about his desires early in the New Year, the paper said.
Harry was again told to take time to think through the complex implications, a message echoed by the Queen when he requested a meeting on his return from his six-week break in Canada, the paper said.
Their decision to go public anyway was “incredibly self-indulgent,” a member of the royal household told the Standard.
“The way they made this announcement showed little or no respect to the Queen or the Prince of Wales who have been given a lifetime of service to the Crown,” the source said.
“It is shocking, just shocking behavior.”
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