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It's no secret that tensions arose after Harry's marriage to Meghan in 2018. The Cambridges were said to be unhappy with Harry and Meghan's rapid engagement and felt the couple rushed into things without properly considering the long-term implications. Some commentators suggest there may have been disapproval from the more senior royals over Meghan's background as an American divorcee who worked in the acting industry prior.
The "fab four" of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan initially presented a united front, but cracks began showing during Meghan and Harry's controversial ITV interview where they opened up about struggles adjusting to royal life. It's believed William questioned the decision to publicly air private matters and was protective over how media scrutiny affects his own family. This tied into wider family debates over balancing royal duties with personal lives.
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Things came to a head in 2020 when Harry and Meghan stepped back from frontline royal roles, splitting their time between the UK and North America. Their exit was formalized in early 2021 with the loss of royal patronages and relocation to California. This clearly upset the royal establishment and rocked the monarchy at a time when the Queen and Prince Philip's health was declining.
In interviews since moving to the US, Harry has alluded to ongoing tensions with his brother. He described their relationships as "space" and hinted at clashes over how best to shield wife and family from intense tabloid interest that contributes to poor mental health. While loving, William is said to take a more pragmatic approach favouring media cooperation over outright confrontation.
The death of Prince Philip in April 2021 and Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee in June 2022 provided bittersweet opportunities for some family reconciliation. However, encounters looked awkwardly formal. Meghan and Harry's unexpected return to the UK for the jubilee also rocked the royals, with the couple declining photo opportunities and giving interviews discussing their time as working royals.
In summary, it seems a mixture of personal slights, conflicting personalities, duty versus privacy struggles and external media pressure have seriously damaged the once close brotherly bond. With the Queen's passing and William now heir, mending family ties remains uncertain. Much will depend on if reconciliation efforts continue or decades-old tensions are allowed to linger. Only time will tell what the future holds for this deeply unhappy family divide.
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In addition to the tensions between the brothers, another key player fueling reactions is undoubtedly Meghan Markle herself. Meghan was an unconventional choice of bride who immediately faced scrutiny as an American divorcee unfamiliar with the rigid customs of the monarchy.
Some critics feel she struggled to understand her role and ruffled feathers by attempting to modernize traditions too quickly. Her independence and publicity-seeking nature contrasted what was expected of royal consorts. Supporters counter that as a woman of color, she faced racism and double standards not placed on other royal brides like Kate.
Regardless of perspective, it's undeniable that Meghan's dynamic personality disrupted the status quo. She encouraged Harry to be more open about mental health struggles, but also courted celebrity friends and lifestyles far removed from royal reserve. Some question if her influence diluted Harry's loyalty to lifelong family connections in exchange for fame and fortune in their new Californian life.
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Skeptics point to examples like her cold interactions with Kate at the Commonwealth Service in 2020 and hints that she made the Duchess of Cambridge cry during wedding dress fittings, suggesting Meghan could be difficult to work with within the tight-knit family dynamic. However, others argue rumors have been exaggerated and she deserves more benefit of doubt in a hostile environment.
The couple's tell-all interview with Oprah in March 2021 took these tensions to new heights, with Meghan alleging an unnamed royal made racist comments about Archie's skin tone and she received no help with suicidal thoughts. While cooperation was intended to control inaccurate stories, the accusations damaged reputations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Now living in their $14 million Montecito mansion and pursuing impactful work on filming and production projects with huge brands like Spotify and Netflix, Harry and Meghan have found freedom and fortune separate from The Firm. However, the path to their emancipation was a rocky one that continues souring family ties, at least in the short-term.
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Only compassion and open communication stands a chance at healing these divides. But reconciling duty to Queen and country versus carving independent lives will remain challenging for all parties as this drama unfolds.
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