With everything from racism allegations to suicidal thoughts and Charles not taking Harry’s calls, the British press called it the “worst royal crisis in 85 years”.Former PM Malcolm Turnbull declared it was time to sever ties with the monarchy, but it was long-time Meghan critic Piers Morgan who fell on his sword instead, on Tuesday. After stating on Good Morning Britain that he didn’t believe Meghan and receiving 41,000 complaints including from the Duchess of Sussex herself, he quit.With so many questions unanswered, it was hoped Buckingham Palace would be swift to respond, but on Monday, press teams had switched off their phones and were locked in crisis talks. The Queen finally released a statement, or rather, an understatement, on Tuesday. “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” it read, notably dropping their full titles.“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”So where does the Royal Family go from here? We take a look at the key players.PRINCE WILLIAMHarry told Oprah there was a big distance between the brothers. “Time heals all things, hopefully,” he said. “I love William to bits, he’s my brother, we’ve been through hell together, we have a shared experience, but we’re on different paths.”The first suggestion of a problem between the brothers came when William reportedly urged a note of caution not to rush in with Meghan. Harry was offended and Charles is said to have stepped in to mend the brothers’ relationship, before his own crumbled with his son.The question royal commentators are asking, is what happens when those paths cross again? They are due to reunite in July, when they unveil a statue of Diana in Kensington Gardens, on what would have been her 60th birthday. On Thursday William told reporters he hadn’t yet spoken to his brother, but “will do” and said, “We are very much not a racist family,” as he and Kate visited a school in London.CATHERINE, DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGEIn 2018 reports emerged a rift had occurred between Meghan and Catherine at the bridesmaid-dress fitting. It was said the Duchess of Cambridge – who had recently given birth to Louis – was in tears. Meghan told Oprah the opposite happened. “She was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologised, and she bought me flowers,” she said.What Meghan took exception to, was nobody officially putting the record straight. However, royal experts say it would be unlikely communications teams would get involved. “With a story like this, it is normal that the palace doesn’t get involved because this was a private matter,” says Brittani Barger, deputy editor of Royal Central.Catherine is not expected to respond. She was snapped looking stony-faced on Monday and diligently fulfilled official duties for International Women’s Day.“I think Catherine will rise above it and get on with things. She has been in the Royal Family for a decade and has adopted the ‘never complain, never explain’ attitude,” says Barger.Meghan claims fact or fictionTHE QUEENWhile Harry and Meghan said they have a good relationship with the Queen and called her when Philip was admitted to hospital, Patrick Jephson, former private secretary to Diana, called the interview a “settling of family scores that should never have been allowed to reach a single TV screen”.He says Harry and Meghan’s interview will have a terrible cost to the sovereign and put paid to any chance of reconciliation. “So toxic are the allegations of racism, callousness, neglect and deceit that any attempt to refute or contextualise them seems doomed,” he wrote in the UK’s Times.However, it’s hoped the Queen’s tautly-worded response would dampen the flames. It was “spot on, says exactly how they will handle it with no need for interpretation,” Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the Queen, said. The monarch is expected to speak to the couple privately.PRINCE PHILIPWhile Philip is in hospital, his family is imploding on the outside, which is bad news for his blood pressure. However, while many wondered who the culprit was who pondered Archie’s skin colour, Harry was swift to make sure the world knew it wasn’t Philip. Oprah revealed he wanted it made clear it was “not his grandmother nor his grandfather”, which was good for them, but meant the focus fell on the rest of the family. “There are demands for full transparency into the racism claims,” says Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine.PRINCE CHARLESHarry laid bare his estrangement, telling Oprah his father stopped taking his calls, “because … I took matters into my own hands”.Charles has been open about his vision for a slimmed-down monarchy, but Harry and Meghan felt they weren’t treated the same way as William and Catherine.Harry repeatedly cited lack of security as a matter of discontent, hurt his father cut him off financially when he moved to Canada. The pair had thought, they said, they could be part-time working royals. As to royal protection – the Queen, Philip, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and their children get around-the-clock protection. Anne, Edward and Sophie receive protection on public duties but not day-to-day. Andrew lost his and Beatrice and Eugenie did have protection, but now pay for it themselves.Dai Davies, former Met police chief superintendent who led the royalty protection unit, said Harry was confused. “Those who carry out work representing the monarchy are protected when at home and abroad. However, if they no longer carry out that role, particularly if they decide to live in another country, then security would cease,” he told the UK’s Mirror.As to the future, it’s hoped Harry can repair his relationship. “There’s a lot to work through there. I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, and Archie’s his grandson, but at the same time I will always love him,” Harry said.Charles was the first to break cover on Tuesday, attending events in London, where he laughed and joked with the crowd but kept silent about his son. “Talking about his fractured relationship with his father so publicly achieves nothing but further hurt, and will make the process of reconciliation even more difficult,” says Little.ARCHIE’S FREE TO FORGE HIS OWN PATHOne of the key points made by Meghan, was how concerned she was to be told Archie would not have a title and therefore protection.She was uncomfortable with the “idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be”.“It’s not their right to take away,” she said.This statement has been met with bewilderment from within the establishment.The reason William and Catherine’s children are princes and princesses is a 1917 ruling by George V where only royal offspring in the direct line of succession could be made a prince and receive HRH titles.Under these rules, Archie would be entitled to be a prince when his grandfather Charles, becomes king.Anne’s children Zara and Peter did not take prince or princess titles, nor did their children and neither did Edward’s offspring Louise and James.As to what the future holds for Archie, it’s down to him, because in the end, he got the freedom his father so yearned for.



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