Royal Family LIVE: King issued 'stability' warning as Harry's 'popularity' sparks concerns

King Charles has been issued a warning over the "long-term stability" of the Royal Family. Following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to the US, the Firm has been "split", Richard Kay, royal commentator and the Mail editor-at-large said. While the popularity of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has taken a hit in the UK following what became known as 'Megxit', Harry remains very popular in other parts of the world, Mr Kay noted - as proven by his trip to Ukraine last week, during which he was welcomed by veterans, injured soldiers and their families.

Mr Kay believes that King Charles "recognises that popularity could be a problem further down the road, unless [Harry] is somehow corralled into the royal system." Appearing on the Palace Confidential programme, he also said: "I think having a split Royal Family, which is what we have at the moment with the prince across the water, is not good for long-term stability". Mr Kay said the Sussexes' situation offered parallels to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's split from the Firm in the 1930s, after the accession of King George VI to the throne. The Duke of Windsor, he recalled, "carried out quasi-royal" engagements for years, despite his exile.

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