William and Kate 'still reeling' from Harry and Meghan's exit, hate the added pressure of royal duties: Expert
Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to be still "reeling" from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step down as "senior members" of the royal family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the royal family and many followers shocked after they announced earlier this month that "after many months of reflection and internal discussion," they would be making "a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role" within the monarchy.
They also said they would be seeking to "become financially independent" in what eventually became termed by the media as "Megxit".
That deal was finalized last week with the pair agreeing to give up their HRH titles and paying back the millions in taxpayer money that went to renovating their Frogmore Cottage, following which they moved to Canada's Vancouver Island.
However, it appears as though some in the royal family are still feeling the after-effects of the move, Prince William and Kate Middleton being the chief among them.
Speaking about the situation, royal commentator Katie Nicholl said, "I think the severity of what’s happened has had a huge impact on his brother, on his sister-in-law. Both of them are still reeling from the news, coming to terms with the reality of this situation."
Part of this impact may have to do with how there is added pressure on the couple now to carry out their royal duties and protect and modernize the monarchy as necessary, tasks where Harry and Meghan would have otherwise pitched in and helped.
"The spotlight has always been on William and Kate as it is a royal goldfish bowl," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams had earlier explained. "However, since Harry started dating Meghan they have been the major media draw as the dynamic duo who were expected to modernize the monarchy."
"Now after their bombshell announcement that they are stepping down as senior royals, the monarchy’s future lies in the hands of William and Kate and George and his siblings," he continued, adding, "Of course the future of the monarchy always did depend on William and his offspring. However, with Andrew in disgrace and unlikely ever to carry out royal duties again, this means 230 patronages need new royal patrons."
Despite this, Harry and William reportedly repaired their familial rift before the former's move to Canada because they realized it was "now or never." Their relationship had been strained since Harry's marriage to Meghan but has improved after they held secret peace talks facilitated by their wives.
"It has been ground-breaking in terms of saving their bond as brothers and has been totally driven by them. But Kate and Meghan did join in with some of the talks on more than one occasion — which is another sign of a real thaw in their relationship. Things are better," a source had revealed.
