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The British royal family is well-known for its fair share of drama over the years, and recent events involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have brought even more turmoil behind palace walls. As Harry marked his 40th birthday in September, many were left wondering about the state of his relationship with other family members, especially in light of his and Meghan's decisions to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States.
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Now, it seems tensions may be rising further, as reports surfaced that Princess Anne decided to withhold a significant trust fund from Harry that was meant to be handed over upon his turning 40. As the queen's only daughter and a very dutiful member of the royal family herself, Anne's choice to hold onto the funds has set off fresh speculation about rifts within the Windsor clan.
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Some background - it has long been customary for young royals to receive trust funds from older family members to help support their public and private responsibilities. The funds are meant to provide financial assistance while still motivating recipients to work hard in their roles. In Harry's case, he was supposedly set to inherit a fund from his aunt Anne on his 40th birthday.
However, rather than transferring the money as planned, insiders say Anne has opted to keep the trust under her control for the time being. Her decision has been viewed quite critically, with many wondering if it represents a subtle protest of Harry's moves away from the royal orbit in recent years. Ever since he and Meghan stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to California, their actions have caused cracks in the family dynamic.
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The couple's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 only seemed to deepen tensions, as they made accusations of racism within the institution and neglect of Meghan's mental health struggles. In the months since, Harry has given more interviews criticizing his upbringing in the royal family. This likely did not sit well with more traditional senior royals like Anne.
Her withholding of the trust funds could therefore be seen as a way to deliver a message about royal responsibilities. As the sixth in line to the throne, Anne may feel Harry is straying too far from his duties despite no longer being a working royal. Keeping the money is a reminder of the expectations that come with being part of the Windsor dynasty, regardless of one's country of residence.
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Interestingly, Royal commentators have differing views on Anne's motivations. Some say she wants to reprimand Harry for disrespecting protocols, while others suggest an emotional distancing has occurred due to his and Meghan's multiple unconventional decisions in recent years. Either way, it does not bode well for familial unity.
As reports of the situation spread, the royal sphere has remained oddly silent on the matter. Tabloids are left to speculate on the fallout, with some opining this move could help solidify a united royal front against the narrative coming from Harry and Meghan's camp in the US. However, it may just as easily exacerbate existing rifts and fuel the rumors of discord behind the palace doors.
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Going forward, it remains to be seen if Anne will ultimately hand over the funds or if this withholding represents a long-term stance. Either way, it has brought more drama to the already dramatic royal saga involving Harry and Meghan, fueling further debates about the succession, inheritance practices, and subtle power plays taking place within the storied yet strained institution. Fans of the royals will no doubt be watching intently to see how this latest shocking development unfolds.
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