Royal biographer Ingrid Seward claims 99-year-old Prince Philip was “very, very disappointed” in Meghan for her “failure to support the monarchy”. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family this year as they set off to the US in pursuit of a new life. Now, the couple live in Santa Barbara, California, with their young son Archie Harrison.
But Ms Seward claims although the world might be happy for Harry and Meghan, this isn’t the case for Prince Philip.
She told Sky News that the Duke was “irritated” when Meghan didn’t give up her career to support her royal spouse, as he did for the Queen.
Talking on TV Ms Seward said: “I think he’s very, very disappointed because I think he feels he gave up his naval career in order to stand by the Queen and help the monarchy.
“And why can’t Meghan just give up her acting career, support her husband and support the monarchy?
READ MORE: Prince Philip heartbreak: Duke ‘doesn’t want to get involved anymore’
“As he used to say to Diana, this is not a popularity contest, this is all of us working together.
“He just cannot understand why she couldn’t support Harry and help him rather than wanting to have her voice.”
Ms Seward added the Duke of Edinburgh stayed out of discussions held with Harry and Prince Charles regarding the couple’s exit from royal life.
She added: “Of course, it irritates him hugely.
This was viewed as distasteful by many, who believe the monarchy should stay out of politics.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared in a live video from their California home as part of Time 100, a list compiled by Time magazine to celebrate the world’s most influential people.
It was their first joint TV appearance since stepping down as royals on March 31.
Sitting alongside Meghan, Harry said: “As we approach this November, it’s vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity.
Although many viewers saw Harry’s statement to be a declaration against President Donald Trump and endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden, a spokesperson said it was clear the Duke was making a “non-partisan call for decency”.
When Harry and Meghan stepped down in March, the official ‘divorce’ statement read: “While they can no longer formally represent the Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”
The expectation is that royals remain neutral in political affairs, and Harry’s statement has many wondering whether they are incompatible with the statement issued by the palace at the time.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We would not comment. The Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family and any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity.”
