Prince Harry’s decision to step back from royal life didn’t just shock the public, it reportedly stunned the Royal Family so much that Prince Philip walked out of the now-infamous Sandringham Summit.
Back in 2020, Harry and Meghan Markle stunned the world when they announced they’d be stepping down as senior royals. But what many didn’t know at the time was how it all went down behind palace doors. According to a new documentary, Megxit: Inside the Sandringham Summit, the moment Harry made it official during a private family meeting was so upsetting to Prince Philip that he simply couldn’t stay.
The summit, held on January 13 at the Queen’s Sandringham estate, brought together Queen Elizabeth, then-Prince Charles, Prince William, and Harry. But according to royal insiders, Philip didn’t stay long. Author Andrew Morton said that, “Prince Philip is someone who doesn’t take fools gladly, and he was horrified that they had come to a situation where the Royal Family were deciding whether to split up or not”, reported the Express.
Journalist Emily Andrews added, “Philip was so angry that he refused to even be there. I was told that he just couldn’t bring himself to see his grandson; he thought it was a huge dereliction of duty.”
For Philip, who dedicated his entire life to royal service, Harry’s decision reportedly felt like a betrayal — not just of duty, but of tradition. While Harry and Meghan were carving out a new path, one that promised more independence and privacy, it was a move that left some royals reeling.
Soon after the summit, Harry and Meghan released their now-famous statement: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.”
The statement continued, “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.”
The Queen followed up with a rare personal message through Buckingham Palace, signaling her support — even if it came with a touch of disappointment. “Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” she said.
She added, “Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
She also clarified the practical side of things. “Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.”
While Harry and Meghan’s move may have set the stage for their new life in California, behind the royal curtains, it left a lasting impact — and for Prince Philip, it was reportedly too much to take.