Prince William 'can't put his arm around Harry': The latest from the Royal Family drama.

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It’s not even been a week since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their plans to step back as ‘senior’ royals, intending to split their time between the UK and America and become financially independent.

But since the story broke, there’s been countless developments as the Royal Family tries to find a workable solution to the Duke and Duchess’ decision.

Prince Harry and Meghan announced their plans for 2020 last Wednesday night, leaving everyone (including, reportedly, their family) shocked.

 

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“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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

As the news sunk in, the Royal Family’s apparent fury at the news came to light, as did questions about the couple’s wealth and income. In other circles, there was also the realisation of a stark double standard – that there was far more outrage from the royals being directed at Meghan and Harry, compared to Prince Andrew, who has been accused of sex crimes.

Over the weekend, however, more has been revealed about the reactions and interactions of the young couple’s family and friends.

Here’s everything you missed.

Prince William can’t “put his arm around” Harry anymore.

Prince William and Prince Harry have always been super close, but this announcement has added credence to the rumours there are cracks in the once watertight relationship.

Last week it was revealed that Harry only gave his brother (and father) a copy of the announcement 10 minutes before it went live.

According to The Sun, William told a mate, "I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can’t do that anymore; we’re separate entities. I’m sad about that.

"All we can do, and all I can do, is try and support them and hope that the time comes when we’re all singing from the same page."

Prince Phillip is furious.

Harry's grandfather has also apparently voiced his distaste for the couple's decision, which he thinks shows a lack of respect for the Queen.

The Sun's source said: "To say that the Duke feels let down would be a considerable understatement. He is deeply hurt."

He reportedly responded with "what the hell are they playing at?" when told about the announcement.

Phillip, who is now 98, remains mainly bed-ridden and is still quite unwell - but was updated on the news by his aides.

Family meeting.

Straight after Harry and Meghan's shock news, the Palace responded with a promise to announce next steps "within days".

There are now imminent plans for a family crisis meeting in Sandringham to talk things through.

The meeting, which will be attended by Harry, William, Charles, the Queen, and possibly Meghan via conference call, has been described by royal commentators as "unprecedented".

The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry will all attend the meeting at the Queen’s Sandringham estate, the source said. The Duchess of Sussex, is expected to dial in to the meeting from Canada.

— Max Foster (@MaxFosterCNN) January 11, 2020

“Following a series of meetings and consultations across the last few days, there are a range of possibilities for the family to review which take into account the thinking the Sussexes outlined earlier in the week," the Palace said in a statement.

“Making a change to the working lives and the role in the monarchy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will require both complex and thoughtful discussions.

“Next steps will be agreed at the meeting and the request for this to be resolved at pace is still Her Majesty’s wish.

“The aim remains to have it resolved in days not weeks. There are a range of possibilities to review."

"The Queen has said she wants it done really fast, and that is because she doesn't want Harry to go off in a huff, I am sure, and not come back," royal biographer Angela Levin told Sky News.

The Sun reports that up for discussion will be the amount of royal duties Harry and Meghan would be expected to commit to, whether they can keep their titles, how much money they'll get from royal coffers and talk about what kinds of commercial deals will be appropriate.

What's the mood in Britain?

According to a poll from Mail Online, opinion of the pair has fallen to an all time low, with 54 per cent saying they should be stripped of their royal titles.

A strong majority also think the couple should be evicted from their Windsor home and should have to pay back the AUD $4 million of public money they spent on refurbishing it.

71 per cent think they should have told the Queen of their plans in advance, yet 55 per cent think they have a right to seek out a "progressive new role."

Should we even be surprised they're leaving? This is what the media attacks did to Meghan. Post continues after video.

The Duchess flees to Vancouver.

According to the Daily Mail, Meghan has snuck back to Vancouver, where she and Harry and baby Archie spent Christmas, as the fallout in Britain continues and the press once again turn on her.

The publication believes she "snuck" out on a $250 budget flight on Canada's Westjet, carefully avoiding the TV crews who assumed she would be on a private jet.

She's back staying at the $20 million holiday home on Vancouver Island's Saanich peninsula where the young family spent a blissful six weeks away from prying eyes. The estate has eight bedrooms, two beaches, and sits on four acres.

Apparently the family spent their time in the isolated rural community exploring, trying the local coffee shops, hiking and jogging.

The Sussexes' friends.

This is news from 2017, (that's only come to light now), but it's given royal commentators an idea of just how strict Harry and Meghan are with their friendships.

Apparently in December 2017, the couple's friend Victoria Beckham gave the Duchess a bunch of beauty tips, which then emerged in newspapers.

Prince Harry called David Beckham, a long time friend, and made it known that wasn't on.

"Harry was very polite, but obviously it was a pretty awkward exchange and David was mortified," a source told The Sun.

"He quickly put Harry right, and the two men agreed to move on - but it certainly made things awkward for a while. It later turned out the leak probably came from a beauty salon. Afterwards, they got things back on track, but it took a few months," they added.

Meghan's deal with Disney.

Before marrying her Prince, Meghan Markle was a very successful actress who was best known for her role in Suits.

With this new split from the Royal Family in the works, it seems the Duchess isn't wasting time in getting back to work.

The Times reports she's signed on to do a voiceover for an unspecified Disney project, in exchange for a donation to the wildlife conservation charity Elephants Without Borders.

The publication says she recorded the VO before the Christmas holidays, and if correct, this paves the way for a plethora of commercial deals for the former actress once she and Harry are officially free of the restraints of the Royal Family.

There are rumours the couple have already received offers to appear on reality TV and talk shows.

Feature image: Getty.