Is Queen Elizabeth keeping a watchful eye on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle so they don’t become too independent? According to a new report, the Queen is taking steps to ensure that an “Independent state of Frogmore” doesn’t happen.
Prince Harry and Prince William split households
A move toward greater independence occurred earlier this year when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle split from the Kensington Palace household, a move approved by the Queen.
At the time, the couple moved to Frogmore Cottage, with a royal statement noting: “The Queen has agreed to the creation of a new Household for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, following their marriage in May last year. The Household, which will be created with the support of the Queen and the Prince of Wales, will be established in the spring.”
Rumors of a rift were in full swing, unsurprisingly, as many speculated the move had everything to do with Prince Harry and Prince William not getting along.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle split from the joint charity
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went on to split from the joint charity they collaborated on with Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Royal Foundation. Rumors swirled ahead of the official announcement about the couple parting ways with the foundation.
Naturally, the rumors of feuding among the couples reignited as many believed that there must be some tension between them for Prince Harry and Markle to exit the joint charity.
A statement from the Royal Foundation regarding the charity split explained:
“These changes are designed to best complement the work and responsibilities of
Their Royal Highnesses as they prepare for their future roles, and to better
align their charitable activity with their new households.”
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are
incredibly proud of what they have achieved together through the Royal
Foundation,” the statement added.
The Queen is reportedly limiting Prince Harry and Markle’s independence
The Sussexes have appeared to distance themselves, but the Queen’s office is reportedly keeping a watchful eye, as a royal source told the Sunday Times that the move of the Sussex office to Buckingham Palace (rather than Windsor) was a deliberate choice by the Queen’s office.
The source noted: “The intention is to ensure what they do is co-ordinated with the rest of the household, so you don’t get an Independent State of Frogmore.”
The couple will still have their Frogmore residence, but be a little more controlled
by the Queen’s office.
A former member of the royal staff noted that this is a similar tactic that occurred when Princess Diana was alive, as the insider noted: “Much of the attention was on Charles and Diana and Andrew and Fergie. The Queen was much younger and doing more, and she didn’t much like being pushed off the front pages, so there was a group formed at Buckingham Palace called the Co-ordination and Research Unit, which was about diary and media planning.”
The insider added: “That’s what they’ve got to do now, co-ordinate diaries
better and coordinate what they’re all putting out.”
