Since the news of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview (opens in new tab) with Oprah (opens in new tab) was announced, the British tabloids have been running a lot of reports about how awful, disingenuous, and insulting (opens in new tab) it is to the Queen and the British Royal Family. Many reports have been circulating. These tabloids harassed Harry and Meghan for years (to the point of suing some of their publishers (opens in new tab)), and as they stepped down from their working roles a year ago (opens in new tab), the couple needed consent (opens in new tab) from the royal family to pursue their careers They seem to have forgotten that they no longer do. The Sussexes made the move permanent (opens in new tab) earlier this month, and as a result lost all royal patronage and military honors granted by the queen.

"Us Weekly" magazine (opens in new tab) joined the British tabloid smear chorus this week, reporting that Meghan and Harry had a "frank" discussion (opens in new tab) with Oprah about their experiences as working royals, and how Kate Middleton and Prince William hot on the heels of sources about how they feel about it.

The Cambridges are understandably not happy. In fact, Us sources said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are "aghast" and painting a serious picture of the situation: "It's a bolt out of the blue for William and Kate, especially considering the terrible timing of (Prince Philip) being in hospital. They are utterly appalled," the source said.

Meghan and Harry's interview was announced before the Queen's husband and Prince Harry's grandfather was hospitalized; Philip, 99, was treated as a precaution for an issue unrelated to COVID but is "comfortable and responding to treatment," the Palace announced earlier this week. According to a BBC report yesterday (opens in new tab), Prince Edward told Sky News that he is "doing much better."

Another source told Us that Kate and William, who have never publicly defended or spoken out against the tabloid treatment of Meghan and Harry (opens in new tab) during their marriage, are not worried about being called out during interviews. 'They will not speak negatively about Prince William and Duchess Kate,' the source said. 'They don't want to add more fuel to the fire.'

William and Harry's relationship has been strained for years (opens in new tab), and according to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand's book Finding Freedom (opens in new tab), they clashed several times before and after Harry and Meghan's wedding They clashed several times before and after Harry and Meghan's wedding. A source told "Entertainment Tonight" (opens in new tab) earlier this week, "The relationship is not what it used to be. But they are brothers and are committed to coming together to support each other and honor their late mother's legacy."

The Sunday Times (opens in new tab) revealed late last week, according to several sources close to William, that the Duke of Cambridge thought his brother and sister-in-law were "insulting and disrespectful" to the Queen in their statement in response to her announcement to strip them of royal patronage and military honors He reportedly said.

As background, a spokesperson for Meghan and Harry said in response to the Queen's statement (opens in new tab): "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the United Kingdom and the rest of the world, as evidenced by their activities over the past year and their official role Regardless, they have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."

Although it will take time for William and Harry to heal, both brothers hope to improve their relationship. A friend of William's told The Sunday Times. "I know that with time the relationship with Harry will heal, but he's very upset."

The brothers are also hoping that their relationship will heal over the next few months.

A source close to Harry and Meghan told the magazine, "Both see a difference between their personal relationship within the family and their professional relationship in terms of the family business. "