The queen reportedly asked Prince Harry not to release statement

(Image credit: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AP)

published 9 January 2020

The drama surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's effective exit from the royal family just keeps getting juicer.

Harry and Meghan announced in a stunning statement Wednesday they "intend to step back as 'senior' members of the royal family" and will "work to become financially independent" while they "balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America." That was already shocking, but it was followed by an even more stunning development: a Buckingham Palace response saying discussions with Harry and Meghan are actually "at an early stage" and that these are "complicated issues."

That seemed to suggest the rest of the royal family was blindsided by the announcement, and BBC reported that "no other royal — including the queen or Prince William — was consulted." But if that wasn't enough drama for you, CNN's AnneClaire Stapleton is now reporting the queen actually was consulted about the statement, and she specifically asked Harry not to issue it. Harry, CNN reports, "went ahead with it anyway."

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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