Royal insiders say frustration is growing as the palace accepts it cannot control the Duke of Sussex
King Charles and Prince William have reportedly reached a turning point in their approach to Harry and Meghan Markle, with insiders claiming the royal family is no longer trying to control the situation.
According to royal commentator Rob Shuter, palace sources say the King and the Prince of Wales have adopted a more resigned stance, effectively deciding to let the couple move forward on their own terms.
Writing in his Substack newsletter, Shuter said senior royals are privately “angry and deeply disappointed,” believing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are undermining the spirit of the Sandringham Agreement — the arrangement carefully designed by Queen Elizabeth II when the couple stepped back from royal duties.
A source close to the palace told him the agreement was meant to remove uncertainty, not create new grey areas.
“This is exactly what the Queen didn’t want,” the insider said. “She created that agreement to eliminate confusion, not invite it.”
Behind palace doors, frustration has reportedly been building for some time. According to the source, many within the royal circle believe the boundaries laid out in the deal have now been pushed too far.
“They feel the line has been crossed,” the insider said. “The arrangement was simple: step back or remain fully in — not both.”
Despite the tension, there is also a growing acceptance within the family that their influence over Harry’s choices is limited.
“They can’t stop Harry,” the source explained, adding that the royal family’s approach has shifted from trying to manage the situation to simply acknowledging it.
“Prince William and King Charles don’t really have a move here anymore,” the insider continued. “They’ve reached the point where it’s basically: let them do what they’re going to do.”
Still, those close to the situation say one reality remains unchanged — Harry’s place within the royal family’s history.
“He’s Princess Diana’s son. He’s the King’s son,” the source said. “That doesn’t change, titles or no titles.”
