Queen calls urgent crisis meeting after Harry and Meghan bombshell

A family meeting has been called by Queen Elizabeth to discuss Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior royals.

The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will meet on Monday to discuss the future of Meghan and Harry’s roles within the royal family at Sandringham estate, according to Sky News and The Observer.

The ‘upcoming crisis talks’ will be the first time the four have met since the issue engulfed the royal family.

It is believed Charles will be travelling from Birkhall in Scotland, William from his Kensington Palace apartment and Harry from Frogmore Cottage near Windsor Castle.

It is likely the senior royals will come to some sort agreement before the end of the meeting on Monday, to discuss options for Harry and Meghan, and prevent the damage which could have a lasting impact on the monarchy.

The Queen and other senior royals are reportedly “hurt” by Harry and Meghan’s bombshell announcement to step back from their senior roles, become financially independent, and split their time between the UK and North America.

On Thursday, the Queen, Charles and William gave orders for their households to work with the Sussexes' team to quickly find a "workable solution" to their desire to change the direction of their royal lives, but still support the Queen.

“The family will gather on Monday at Sandringham to talk things through, attended by Her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex,” a royal source said.

"Following a series of meetings and consultations across the last few days, there are a range of possibilities for the family to review which take into account the thinking the Sussexes outlined earlier in the week.

"As we have said previously, making a change to the working life and role in the monarchy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex requires complex and thoughtful discussions.

"Next steps will be agreed at the meeting, the request for this to be resolved at pace is still her Majesty's wish – the aim remains days not weeks.

"There is genuine agreement and understanding that any decision will take time to be implemented."

Duchess of Sussex expected to join meeting

Meghan returned to Canada a few days ago where she, Harry and their child, Archie, spent an extended festive break.

It is hoped Meghan will participate in the meeting remotely from British Columbia, the royal source said.

Harry and Meghan’s shock decision to essentially quit the royal family shocked royal fans all over the world.

The former Suits actress copped the brunt of the criticism, with people suggesting she had “driven a wedge” between Harry and his family.

“She has pushed away her own family now she has pushed away Harry's family,” one person said.

“People say I'm too critical of Meghan Markle – but she ditched her family, ditched her dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William and has now split him from the Royal Family. I rest my case,” Piers Morgan tweeted.

However, some people were quick to defend the Duchess, suggesting the decision may have been due to the relentless criticism and news coverage she received since joining the royal family.

“Maybe if the response of a sizeable section of the country to Meghan hadn’t been hostility, overt racism, classism and xenophobia they wouldn’t feel the need to do this,” one fan said in defence of the Duchess.

with AAP

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