Prince Edward calls Meghan and Harry’s rift with the Royal Family ‘difficult’ on the late Prince Philip's 100th birthday

Prince Edward, the youngest brother of Prince Charles, has weighed in on Meghan and Harry’s falling out with the Royal Family

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attends the annual Commonwealth Day service and reception during Commonwealth Day celebrations on March 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo byLONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attends the annual Commonwealth Day service and reception during Commonwealth Day celebrations on March 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
(Image credit: LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attends the annual Commonwealth Day service and reception during Commonwealth Day celebrations on March 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images))

Prince Edward has broken his silence on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s conflict with the Royal Family, describing the ongoing dispute as “difficult for everyone”. 


Prince Edward has shared his thoughts on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s falling out with the Royal Family, offering a valuable insight into the current strife that plagues his loved ones. 

Speaking on what would have been the 100th birthday of his late father Prince Philip, the Earl of Wessex said that the situation with his nephew and niece-in-law is “difficult for everyone”. 

When first asked by CNN correspondent Max Foster for his take on the “family rift” Prince Edward hesitated before replying, “Are you euphemistically referring to Harry and Meghan?”

After establishing that the question was indeed in reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Edward said, “It's very sad”. The youngest of Queen Elizabeth's children went on to share some empathetic words on the couple's ordeal with the British tabloids, noting the extreme level of scrutiny all senior members of the Royal Family have experienced. 

Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (L), Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex depart after the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince Edward with Meghan and Harry on Christmas Day, 2018 

(Image credit: Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“We've all been there before. We've all had excessive intrusion and attention in our lives,” he elaborated. “And we've all dealt with it in slightly different ways.” 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle famously stepped back from the Royal Family in January 2020, giving up their full-time roles as working royals to pursue a more independent life in the US. The shocking withdrawal prompted a divided reaction from the UK public and shed a sharp spotlight on the future of the British monarchy. 

Despite the alleged feud between the Royal Family and Meghan and Harry, Prince Edward emphasized that he continues to support them. 

“And listen we wish them the very best of luck. It's a really hard decision,” he said. 

“Families are families,” he added. “It's difficult for everyone, but that's families for you.“ 

The Earl also offered his reaction to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement of the birth of their daughter, Lilibet. Speaking in a separate interview with the BBC today, Edward called the safe arrival of the couple's second child “fantastic news”.

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.