Megxit 'overshadowed' Kate Middleton's birthday, left Prince William 'incandescent with rage', claims insider
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to quit being senior members of the royal family shocked the world and the timing was especially bad for Kate Middleton as the announcement came just a day before the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday.
Kate's birthday was totally overshadowed by the scandal surrounding Harry and Meghan stepping down as senior royals. The split took up all the headlines and Kate's birthday went into oblivion. Kate was born on January 9, 1982, which means that she turned 38 this year.
The exit, needless to say, has irked the royal family. Prince Charles and Prince William are reportedly enraged since Meghan and Harry did not keep anyone in the loop. It is being said that the exit is sort of a civil war in the family. An insider told The Sun: "Their statement was not cleared with anyone. It breaks all protocol. This is a declaration of war on the family. The Queen is deeply upset. The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge are incandescent with rage."
With the royal family busy mulling over 'Megxit', Kate had a very low-key celebration at her home with William and her three children, reports the Mirror. Her father Michael was seen arriving to celebrate his daughter's birthday. Earlier, over the weekend, there was a small party to celebrate her birthday. Kate had invited a small group of friends and her parents over for the party. The get together was reportedly held at Anmer Hall which is Kate and William's country home on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. She also joined the Queen and her loved ones at church in Sandringham.
On the morning of her birthday, Kate seemed to be deep in thought and didn't manage to flash a smile for the waiting photographers. This in itself is pretty odd for Kate's cheerful self. In one photo she even seemed to be shielding her face from the cameras.
Fans also did not take to the 'present' that Meghan and Harry gave to Kate very kindly. A fan posted on social media: "They chose to make the announcement hit the press on Kate's birthday! Lovely present from them to her."
However, the two most-talked-about couple did not forget about Kate's birthday. After Kensington Palace put up a beautiful photo of the Duchess of Cambridge on Instagram and thanked everyone for their lovely messages on Kate's birthday, Harry and Meghan, under the handle @sussexroyal wrote: "Wishing a very happy birthday to The Duchess of Cambridge today! 🎂❤️" There were about 23,400 likes to the Sussex couple's post and about 2,000 people had replied to it. Prince Charles and Camilla from the Clarance House wrote the same message and wished the Duchess of Cambridge.
Harry and Meghan had issued a statement where they announced their intention to "become financially independent" on January 8. They had also shared that they will be dividing their time between North America and the U.K. The couple had posted the statement on their Instagram, it read: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year is starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution."
"We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen," the post had continued. It was also eventually revealed that the pair had not told anyone in the royal family of their decision to make the announcement.
The new parents also shared that they will be "financially independent" in their new lives but will continue to fully support the Queen. Harry and Meghan's post read, "It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment."
"This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties."
"Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support," the post concluded.