Prince Charles and William are concerned about 'vulnerable' Harry and Meghan: 'They want to protect the couple'
Prince Charles and William have reportedly been "reaching out" to Prince Harry and Meghan to show their love and support amidst a time when media intrusion in the couple's new home in Canada appears to be more frightening than ever without the protection of the royal family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on January 8, made a shock announcement, saying they would step back as senior members of the royal family and work to become financially independent. The move could see the couple splitting their time between the UK and Canada.
The Sussexes reportedly took the drastic decision to begin a new, quieter life without much media scrutiny. However, it appears things are not panning out the way the pair had planned. With pictures showing a plastic sheet preventing the media from getting a peek inside their Canada property grounds, the ongoing tension between the Sussexes and the press — stationed outside their gates — seems to be intensifying.
Prince Charles and Prince Williams, amid these trying times for the Sussexes, have reportedly been "reaching out" to the couple with "love and affection on standby." The princes are believed to be eager to let the Sussexes know that they are welcome to return to the UK without having to resume their official royal duties, a source close to the royal household told The Sunday Times.
Reports state that the senior royals are now allegedly making contingency plans for Harry and Meghan to provide them with a safe haven in the UK if their current arrangement in Canada becomes dangerous for them. Courtiers reportedly fear that increased media scrutiny on Vancouver Island, where the couple is staying, could take a heavy toll on the pair.
The outlet cites its sources as saying that the couple is believed to be under severe strain after they issued a legal warning over media intrusion. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex called in their lawyers overnight last week after pictures of Meghan along with baby Archie and her two dogs were splashed across UK newspapers. A letter was sent out by a firm acting on behalf of the couple, alleging that the pictures had been taken by paparazzi "hiding in the bushes and spying". The Sussexes, previously, filed a lawsuit against media outlets like the Daily Mail for their "ruthless campaign" against Meghan.
"The palace is very worried about the Sussexes, because they are vulnerable outside the embrace of the family," the source said. “They are making contingency plans in case the Sussexes suddenly turn round and say: ‘Can we come back under your wing?’ This is a looking ahead thing. There’s no timeline here. But everybody agrees that this is a fragile couple. Nobody is going to say, no they can’t come back."
Buckingham Palace, last week, announced that the Sussexes will stop using their HRH titles from Spring and withdraw from their royal duties, including official military appointments. The couple, however, continues to retain their titles and will be allowed to maintain their private patronages and associations.