Prince Philip is known for not mincing his words. He says things without sugarcoating them, so many were interested as to how he feels about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s withdrawal from senior royal life.
While Prince Philip remained silent regarding the matter, a royal expert believes that he is not too pleased with how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did their announcement. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams shared that the Duke of Edinburgh may have taken the whole thing with "a dim view.”
But it is worth noting that Prince Philip gave up his career to support Queen Elizabeth, so he may have fully understood Prince Harry’s decision. However, what he may disapprove of is how the couple announced the step back without warning Her Majesty.
Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been talking with senior royals about their intention to step back since the summer, their announcement blindsided Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Philip may have not appreciated that.
“During his whole life the Duke has shown devotion to the Queen and service to the monarchy and it is likely he will have taken a dim view of Harry and Meghan’s recent activities,” Richard Fitzwilliams said. “These included releasing a statement saying they intended to step back as senior royals without warning the Queen and other senior royals.”
It was previously reported that even though the couple will still be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they can “no longer formally represent” Queen Elizabeth in their new lives. Also, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not only lose their HRH titles, but the Prince will lose his military titles as well, which deeply upset him.
The royal expert then claimed that Prince Philip fully backed Queen Elizabeth’s decision. Fitzwilliams even said that the Duke of Edinburgh “may well have played a part in her decision not to allow them to use their royal titles or to perform royal duties part-time.”
Richard Fitzwilliams previously shared that although it appears that Prince Harry is ready to move on from his senior royal obligations to being a non-working royal, he may miss his old life in the future. The Duke of Sussex is royal by birth, and being a prince had always been a part of him.
“Independence has its price! They may have a meteoric rise with top Hollywood celebrities to back them, but they will always be followed by the press,” he said. “Meghan may be in her element, Harry may prove totally adaptable but he also could miss what he has given up.”
