Meghan Markle, for the first time since joining the British royal family, has decided to talk about the complex relationship with her father-in-law, Prince Charles.
The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry sat down with The Cut.
Meghan Markle tackled various topics — she said she would not compromise her children’s privacy, her days as a working royal, and the pain she endured.
The former actress also confirmed the long-running rumors that Prince Harry has a strained relationship with his father.
In the magazine, Markle was quoted saying: “Harry said to me, ‘I lost my dad in this process. It doesn’t have to be the same for them as it was for me, but that’s his decision.”
The comment quickly went viral, and many deemed it hurtful. In a surprising move, a royal source close to Prince Charles reached out to BBC to say the words saddened him.
The insider said: “Prince Charles would be saddened if his son felt their connection was lost. The Prince of Wales loves both of his sons.”
Aware that the comment had rattled Prince Charles, Markle and Prince Harry had their close allies clarify the statement.
Royal biographer Omid Scobie explained: “There seems to be confusion in some headlines about this quote in The Cut interview. I understand that Prince Harry is actually referring to Meghan’s loss of her own father, and Meghan is saying she doesn’t want Harry to lose his.”
Despite the clarification, many royal experts and watchers have concluded that Prince Charles’s countless efforts, emotional gestures, and pleas towards the power couple were in vain.
Prince Charles reached out to Markle and Prince Harry, who are dealing with security issues during their visits to England, and offered that they stay at his home.
After the Platinum Jubilee, Prince Charles had his top aide speak to the media to say that he had an emotional reunion with Prince Harry, Markle, and their young children.
Royal commentator Russell Myers weighed in on the mini-drama and said the comments were “severely damaging and distressing” to Prince Charles.
He added: “He offered them an olive branch on several occasions; ‘come and stay at my house, worried about security – and I think the bridges are already burned – there will be absolutely no way back from them.”
Markle and Prince Harry will be in London this week, and many wonder if they will meet Prince Charles. The Sussexes appear to be on a unique path.
