Prince William 'desperately sad' after Harry and Meghan bombshell

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,  host a reception to officially open the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference at St James' Palace on October 10, 2018 in London, England.  The 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference is the fourth such international conference bringing together heads of state, ministers and officials from nearly 80 countries, alongside NGOs, academics and businesses, to build on previous efforts to tackle this lucrative criminal trade. The conference is being hosted by the UK Government from 11th to 12th October 2018. (Photo by Tolga Akmen - WPA Pool / Getty Images)
Prince William is 'desperately saddened' by Harry's news. Photo: Getty

Prince William has opened up for the first time since his brother Prince Harry made the shocking announcement that he and wife Meghan would be ‘stepping back’ from senior royal duties.

The Duke of Cambridge is said to be “desperately sad” after the bombshell news that sent shockwaves around the world on Thursday.

According to The Sunday Times, Prince William spoke to a friend about the brother’s ‘broken bond’ given how close their were growing up.

“I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives. I can’t do it any more,” the prince reportedly said.

He added that all he can do now is “try and support them”.

NADI, FIJI - OCTOBER 25:  Prince Harry, Duke of Cambridge attend the unveiling of the Labalaba Statue on October 25, 2018 in Nadi, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand  (Photo by Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images)
William says he will 'try and support' Harry. Photo: Getty

The brother goes on to label himself and Harry as “separate entities”, but still shared his hope that they might pull together again in future and become a ‘team’ once more.

Queen calls family crisis meeting at Palace

A family summit has been called by Queen Elizabeth II to discuss Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back, with the monarch summoning Prince Charles and Prince William to the crisis meeting at Sandringham estate on Monday.

The ‘upcoming crisis talks’ will be the first time the four have met since the issue engulfed the royal family, after the Queen was said to be ‘hurt’ and ‘disappointed’ by the Sussexes decision.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the annual Remembrance Sunday service at The Cenotaph on November 10, 2019 in London, England. The armistice ending the First World War between the Allies and Germany was signed at Compiegne, France on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - 11am on the 11th November 1918. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
William says he and Harry are now 'separate entities'. Photo: Getty

‘On different paths’: Prince Harry confirms rift with brother William

It’s long been clear, according to royal watchers and experts, that something was amiss between the once extremely close brothers.

And in October last year Harry finally addressed the long-running rumours of a rift between them.

The Duke of Sussex opened up in a one-hour documentary about his and wife Meghan Markle’s tour of Africa, that gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of the couple.

During filming, Harry was asked about the rumours of a royal family rift following the split in the two households.

“Part of this role, part of this job and this family being under the pressure that it is under, inevitably stuff happens,” Harry responded.

“But we are brothers, we will always be brothers. We are certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him as I know he will be for me.

“As brothers you have good days and bad days,” he added.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Prince Harry and Prince William at the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for their mother Diana, Princess of Wales at Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks on August 31, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Prince William at the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for their mother Diana in 2007. Photo: Getty

'He'll move away': Psychic's spot-on prediction

Harry and Meghan’s unprecedented decision wasn’t a surprise to some, with psychic Sarah Anderson (nee Yip) - aka The Numbers Queen - foreseeing the Sussexes’ dramatic life change.

Just before the end of 2019, Sarah provided Yahoo Lifestyle with a near-perfect prediction of Harry and Meghan’s plans for the new year, foreseeing the pair and their son Archie would set up a new life overseas.

“Prince Harry was born to be a black sheep. He will move away from the royal family as much as possible within three years, partly due to Meghan’s influence,” she told in December.

“They may set up a new house and lifestyle from April 2020, possibly overseas. Frequent travel and honesty are essential for their marriage to succeed. They need a vast home range to be happy,” she added.

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