Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘ignored Queen’s wishes’ over decision to quit public life

Monarch reportedly refused to discuss couple’s plans until duke had spoken to his father

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly “ignored” the Queen’s request to delay announcing their decision to quit public life.

The Queen and other members of the family were said to be “hurt” by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to plough ahead with issuing a personal statement detailing their plans to step back from their roles as senior royals.

In the statement, described by a source as a “bolt from the blue” for Buckingham Palace, the couple outlined their decision to become financially independent while dividing their time between the UK and North America with their eight-month-old son Archie.

But it appears the Queen may have attempted to stall the announcement after grandson Harry asked to meet at her private Sandringham estate, according to the Evening Standard.

It is already known the Queen, the Prince of Wales and other senior royals were not consulted about the content of the statement and did not know it was to be issued.

However, it has emerged that Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge received the couple’s statement just 10 minutes before it was released, the Standard reports.

The Queen reportedly agreed to meet with Harry, but refused to discuss the couple’s plans until he had talked them through with his father.

According to the Standard, Charles told his youngest son to come up with a thought-out plan for his wish to spend more time in Canada and America and, when given a draft proposal, told him time was needed to consider its implications, particularly surrounding funding.

The Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge have reportedly instructed their aides to work “at pace” with governments and the Sussexes to find a “workable solution” over their future roles with the royal family within “days”, according to a palace source.

The Sussexes’ announcement – and a new official Sussexroyal.com website – has thrown up important questions about funding for the couple’s round-the-clock security, media access to their royal events, and how they will pay for their future lifestyles.

The duke and duchess, who have only recently returned from a six-week stay in Canada, said in their statement: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen.”

Meghan received a public boost from her close friend Jessica Mulroney, a Canadian stylist and TV star, who posted a quote attributed to Gina Carey, which said: “A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.”

But a series of commentators have strongly criticised their decision, with public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski saying about the Sussexes: “It does feel like a royal couple in exile”.

Additional reporting by Press Association