Prince William is, reportedly, devastated over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement that they are stepping back as senior royals. The Duke of Cambridge was, apparently, aware of his brother and sister-in-law's wishes, as those were in discussions over the holidays. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex jumped the gun on the royal family when they made a public statement.
According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, Prince Harry and Meghan were discussing their plans with the royal family while they were still in Canada for the Christmas holiday. At that time, the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William were agreeable to an idea of a transition and the changes in the roles of Prince Harry and Meghan but those were considered "early-stage discussions."
Per Entertainment Tonight, the royal houses were supposed to come up with a strategy for Prince Harry and Meghan when they got back from their trip as nothing was still set in stone. To their surprise, the Sussexes made a public statement this week, without letting the Queen know.
According to Nicholl, Prince William felt Prince Harry betrayed and abandoned him. Though the Sussexes are not going to become the future King and Queen of England, they still have quite important roles in the royal family.
Daily Express reported that Prince Harry and Meghan's actions seem like a declaration of war against the royal family. Sources said that other members are hurt and disappointed by the turn of events.
Insiders said that there is "fury" over how Prince Harry and Meghan carried out their plans without regard for the institution. There are still many questions unanswered but Queen Elizabeth, reportedly, talked to Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, royal experts said Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship could be doomed after this shocking turn of events. Sources said that they have barely spoken longer to each other since that tension that erupted in the family last Easter in Windsor last year.
Prince William, reportedly, tried to reach out to Prince Harry when he saw his mental anguish in a documentary released in October. Tom Bradby, who interviewed Prince Harry for that documentary, said that people around Prince William and Prince Harry want the brothers to reconcile but things have been said that might make it hard for now.
