PRINCE Harry has been told not to “disrespect your gran” after he had a dig at the Queen yesterday as he was stripped of his royal roles following Megxit.
It comes as Prince William was said to be “really sad and genuinely shocked” by his brother’s behavior towards their grandmother.
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It is feared the siblings’ row is the worst since George VI was thrust onto the throne in 1936 after older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated from the throne.
Sources close to Prince William said he thought Harry and Meghan had been “insulting and disrespectful” to the Queen, and was “very upset by what has happened”.
Her Majesty said they could not continue with “responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service”.
But the pair hit back with an apparent jibe, saying: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
The Celeb Reportday Times reports a source close to the monarch described the response as “petulant and insulting to the Queen”.
The source added: “Don’t disrespect your granny, Harry.” A third source warned: “You don’t
answer the Queen back — it’s just not done.”
Courtiers and other family members were also stunned by the tone of Harry and Meghan’s public response.
The Queen’s announcement in effect marked the end of a yearlong “trial separation” between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the Royal Family.
But William, 38, was said to have struggled to the mutually agreed arrangement, sources say.
An aide said: “Once he got over the anger of how things happened, he was left with the absence of his brother.
“They had shared everything about their lives — an office, a foundation, meetings together most days — and there was a lot of fun along the way. He’ll miss it forever.”
A close friend of the prince said William “definitely feels the pressure now”.
Friends of the brothers reportedly believe that both are still hoping to heal their rift, despite last week’s eruptions.
Meanwhile, a source close to the Sussexes told the Sunday Times: “Both sides see that there’s a difference between the personal relationship they have in the family and the professional relationship in terms of the family business.”
A source close to the 94-year-old monarch said the letter she wrote Harry and Meghan “was warm, but also reflected her view on the business side of things that you can’t pick and choose”,
Sources said there was deep unhappiness at their “hurtful jibe” especially as 99-year-old Prince Philip lay sick in his hospital bed.
Royal author Penny Junor said the couple’s response was “two fingers at the institution — the men and women that run it”.
She added: “It does draw a line. It’s hurtful but every divorce is hurtful. This is the decree absolute.”
Meanwhile, Charles appeared to be showing the strain of a tough week today for the royals as he visited his ill father at London’s King Edward VII Hospital.
The visit comes just a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they have permanently quit as frontline royals.
