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It has been reported that one Royal member was left in absolute tears after a heated argument took place at a recent family event. Sources say the upset Royal in question was Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Sophie is generally considered one of the more popular members of the modern monarchy. The 56-year-old wife of Prince Edward is known for her warmth, down-to-earth manner, and dedication to her royal duties. However, it seems even Sophie is not immune to the occasional family squabble.
According to insiders, the argument broke out at a private luncheon celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. While details of what was said are scarce, it's believed the disagreement involved Sophie and another senior Royal over their differing views of the modernizing direction the monarchy is taking under King Charles and Prince William.
Sophie is said to strongly support the King's vision of a slimmed-down, less expensive monarchy focused on core members carrying out official engagements and charitable work. However, it's thought the other Royal sees this as sidelining some family members and reducing their status and importance unjustly. Words were reportedly exchanged that deeply upset Sophie, who was seen hurriedly exiting the event in tears.
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The source of the argument has not been confirmed, but it comes amid rising tensions within the Royal Family over the roles and privileges of non-working royals. There is ongoing controversy surrounding disgraced Prince Andrew and calls for him to give up his Duke of York title. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from royal duties and trashing of the institution in interviews continues to cause resentment.
The tears of a usually unflappable figure like Sophie indicate how raw feelings are running behind palace walls. As the family's unofficial peacemaker, she finds herself caught in the middle of fraught relationships. But those close to the countess say seeing the monarchy she loves criticized in such a way brought her to tears.
Meanwhile, William and Kate continue to raise eyebrows with their extended summer break after a rocky year. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made it clear their three children were their priority and blocked out an unusually long period free from official engagements.
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However, their time off has not gone unnoticed. Senior royal sources have said there is unease within the palace that William and Kate are getting away with less hands-on duties compared to working royals like Sophie, Prince Edward, Princess Anne and others. There is also frustration over the couple dragging out their time away while issues like cost of living and the climate crisis worsen.
Normally discreet insiders say royals have questioned “where exactly William and Kate have been” for so long and why they cannot commit to more public appearances. The pair are arguably the monarchy's most popular figures globally and so their visible leadership is sorely missed as anti-monarchist voices in the UK and abroad grow louder.
William has remained tight-lipped about extending his family's summer break well into September. But the quiet grumbling suggests he and Kate are pushing the boundaries of their working royal responsibilities. They may face pressure to schedule more public engagements to justify their prestigious roles and lucrative funding from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.
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On the other side of the world in California, things remained turbulent for the Sussexes. Prince Harry has found himself in the headlines once again for lashing out about royal life and criticizing his father's parenting in interviews. Unsurprisingly, his latest shocking claims about the “genetic pain” passed down from the Queen, Charles, and Philip have not gone down well back in London.
Sources say senior royals are frustrated at Harry's inability to “let the past go” and move on from grievances, especially as they continue working tirelessly themselves. The transatlantic antics of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain a sore point, damaging the royal brand that other family members are trying to protect.
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As ever, divisions within “The Firm” show no signs of healing, with seemingly no end in sight to the family dramas playing out in public for all to see. While monarchist traditionalists such as Sophie and William look to the future, others remain focused on settling old scores. How long this fragile ceasefire within the Windsors will last is anyone's guess.
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