When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced in a statement in January that they planned to step back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family it sent shock waves across the world, despite the couple’s evident discontent over the months leading up to the announcement.
The royal bombshell also seemed to be a shock to Buckingham Palace, who issued an incredibly brief and blunt statement stating discussions were still in the very early stages and that it was a “complicated” issue.
While the Queen has since publicly come out in support of her grandson’s decision, royal historian Robert Lacey tells People that the 93-year-old monarch would still be undoubtedly disappointed.
“Her job is to survive,” he explains, and to ensure that the monarchy survives.
The Queen publicly supported Harry and Meghan’s decision by royal historian Robert Lacey says she would have still been disappointed. (Image: Getty)
However, he adds she will have a “sensitivity” towards Harry’s situation of being the ‘royal spare’ having gone through a not dissimilar situation with her younger sister Princess Margaret and according to Lacey, that’s likely why she agreed to let Harry step back.
“She has a particular sensitivity to what Harry has been going through because of her closeness to Margaret and seeing the same dramas and tensions played out two generations ago,” Lacey tells the publication.
It’s well known Margaret struggled to find her place in the world as the ‘spare’.
“The younger-sibling syndrome is an enduring problem,” Lacey says.
“The system has not found a way of giving them the recognition they need.”
The Queen’s understanding of her late sister’s struggles likely played a part in allowing Prince Harry to step back from being a working royal. (Images: Getty)
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward agrees that the Sussexes’ new arrangements will not be something the Queen will dwell on.
“She is very pragmatic. She has left the door open for Harry especially – the year of review was with Harry in mind.”
Ahead of formally stepping down from their roles as working royals at the end of March, Harry and Meghan are planned to join the rest of the royal family on March 9 in London for the Commonwealth Day Service.
The pair also has a handful of additional engagements on the cards in the UK including the Endeavour Fund Awards and the Mountbatten Music Festival before they return to Canada where they have been staying since their announcement, to settle into their new life.
The arrangements reached with the Queen and the Palace will come into effect from April 1, with a review scheduled in 12 months.
