‘No one asked my permission’: Meghan Markle burst into tears over Prince William's cruel bullying statement

Meghan Markle was left visibly shaken following the release of a statement by Buckingham Palace refuting allegations that Prince William bullied her and Prince Harry out of their royal duties. The couple has stated that the action came as a shock to them since it was released without Harry's consent and, in their opinion, did not depict their side of the story.

The moment that sparked the debate

In the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, Harry recalled the moment he saw the statement and realised it had gone out without his consent. “No one had asked me for permission,” he said. When he told Meghan, she broke down. “She burst into floods of tears,” he added.


The statement was issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of both princes in January 2020, but according to Prince Harry in the Harry & Meghan documentary, he never agreed to it or even knew it was going out.

The claim was intended to counter rumors that suggested William's conduct was a reason why the Duchess of Sussex had decided to step back from public life. Media speculations at the time were circulating over tensions in the palace. Harry believed that the palace was set to protect William's reputation, but failed to provide the same level of haste to defend him and Meghan from the spread of misinformation.

For three years, they were never going to tell the truth to protect us," Harry said. "But within four hours, they were willing to lie to protect my brother." His words reflected the profound sense of betrayal he and Meghan felt afterwards.

The episode is now routinely cited as among the pivotal moments that pushed the brothers further apart. Once close and united in their bereavement over their mother, Princess Diana, the princes have drifted apart. William continues to serve in his position in the UK, while Harry and Meghan have established a new life with their kids, Archie and Lilibet, in California.

Signals of a possible row

Nevertheless, there have been subtle hints that the chill in the air between the Sussexes and the remaining royal members may be dissipating. Rumors indicate a low-key encounter occurred in London amongst Harry's top PR communications adviser, Liam Maguire, his US counterpart, Meredith Maines, and King Charles's senior media aide, Tobyn Andreae. The encounter, held social style with drinks, allegedly was agenda-free. Instead, it gave a chance for honest dialogue, something that some insiders perceive as a good beginning.

One insider characterized the meeting as a welcome moment of positive discussion after decades of tension. "There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years," the insider said. For Harry and Meghan, the recollection of being exposed and left vulnerable as a story they contest took hold is not likely to be forgotten soon.

Whether or not this new avenue of communication will amount to genuine reconciliation is far from clear. The family's public and private spheres are so closely linked that rebuilding personal relationships tends to involve negotiating public opinion as well. At times like these, each word, each appearance, and each perceived silence can have enduring repercussions.

Also See: Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s luxurious Montecito mansion

The road ahead

For the time being, the controversy over the controversial comment remains a chilling reminder of the difficulties experienced by the Sussexes during their service as senior royals. It shows how disagreements in style and priorities within the royal family can have a profound emotional consequence, particularly when trust has been breached.

If reconciliation is to happen, it will be more than a matter of one meeting. It will involve time, continued discussion, and a commitment from all parties to admit past resentments without allowing them to dictate the future, moving forward amicably. Trust must rebuild gradually through consistent actions, open communication, and a genuine willingness to forgive and understand each other’s perspectives fully. Only then can lasting healing and renewed harmony be achieved.