The transatlantic war of words between Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes could take a new twist, with the Queen reportedly 'ordering' officials to plan a legal fightback against the couple.
Sources say the 'exasperated' Queen, 95, has told palace officials to 'lawyer up' with libel experts after 'repeated attacks' on the Royal Family from the U.S.-based Sussexes, according to The Daily Mail.
It comes after Harry, 36, and wife Meghan Markle, 40, said in their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey that an unnamed royal had raised concerns over their son Archie's skin color before his birth. Days later, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying 'recollections may vary' in response to allegations.
But the row was reignited this week after it was revealed in a new chapter of their biography "Finding Freedom" that a source had accused the royals of 'failing to own' their part in the fallout. Now sources close to the Queen have told the Sun that the feeling 'coming right from the top' is that 'enough is enough'.
The source told the paper: "There is a limit to how much will be accepted and the Queen and Royal Family can only be pushed so far. They are getting lawyered up." Harry and Meghan will be made aware and know repeated attacks will not be tolerated. One hurdle any legal team could face is the upcoming release of Prince Harry's tell-all memoirs. The book, due to be released next year, will be published by Penguin Random House. According to the Sun, a preemptive legal warning to the publishers is now being considered.
The source told the paper: "If someone were named in the book and accused of something directly that could be a libel and also infringe their rights to a private family life. It would be ironic if Harry and Meghan were accused of breaching privacy given their pronouncements on the subject."
It comes after lawyers for the Sussexes earlier this week denied that the couple had 'reignited a rift' with the Queen after an updated biography claimed they believe she has failed to act over their accusations of racism.
The new edition of "Finding Freedom" suggests sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were 'not surprised' at a perceived lack of action over their claim that a senior royal expressed 'concern' about their unborn child's skin color.
