BREAKING NEWS:Prince Harry and Meghan set to ‘tear up Royal Family pact’ and announce series of UK engagements
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to defy King Charles’s warning that they are not “working royals”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to defy King Charles’ warning that they are not ‘working royals’ (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to tear up their historic “Megxit” agreement with Buckingham Palace as they launch a defiant return to public life in the UK. Following a week of intense public fallout, a source close to the Sussexes has revealed that the couple no longer feel bound by the terms of the Sandringham Agreement struck with the late Queen in 2020.
The extraordinary revelation comes after the Sussexes were left “surprised” by a letter sent by the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Benyon, on behalf of King Charles. The directive instructed Government officials, military leaders and Lord-Lieutenants to treat the couple strictly as “private citizens”. Hitting back at the Palace’s order, Harry and Meghan insisted they see themselves as “public figures”. Now, insiders close to the couple have blown the lid on why they are walking away from the six-year-old deal, which stripped them of their taxpayer-funded police protection.
The Sussexes maintain a clear line between upholding the late Queen’s personal values and adhering to Palace rules, the source said (Image: Getty)
A source close to the Sussexes told The i Paper that they draw a clear distinction between respecting the late Queen’s personal values and complying with palace rules, claiming that these are “shared familial values”. Firing a shot at the Palace machine, the source declared: “He’s still the King’s son. There’s no getting away from that. They are working royals, but they don’t work for the institution any longer.”
The source also questioned the legacy of the original agreement, adding: “I’d be very keen to see what was codified at the time of the Sandringham Agreement. But it was at a time when the Duke and Duchess were still in receipt of public funds for security and there was financial support from his father.”
The original Sandringham Agreement required the couple to uphold the Nolan Principles – committing them to avoid political controversy, align with UK Government foreign policy and separate commercial deals from royal status.
However, the source close to the couple suggested Harry and Meghan now believe they have total freedom to speak out on controversial global issues and openly criticise world leaders, including US President Dоnɑld Tгuмρ and Ru.ssi.an Pre.side.nt Vla.dim.ir Pu.tin.
Meghan’s return to acting ‘is very much on the cards,’ the source added (Image: Getty)
Addressing the potential for major awkwardness between Montecito and Buckingham Palace, the source said: “Is he going to start criticising Dоnɑld Tгuмρ? I can’t see that happening, but he can if he wants to. Harry has every right to, as you and I do.”
Prince Harry is already lining up a series of high-profile appearances across Britain, including events for Save the Children, two Invictus Games engagements, and the annual WellChild Awards. Meanwhile, Meghan is settling the couple into their new home in the Cotswolds with children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, while expanding her As Ever lifestyle brand.
However, the Duchess may also be eyeing a dramatic return to her former career. While a spokesman for the couple did not comment on speculation that she is in talks for a role in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix crime drama The Gentlemen, a source close to her teased: “A return to acting is very much on the cards”.
