Prince Charles is ‘hurt’ by Harry and Meghan’s decision to retire as senior royals since he has discreetly handed them millions to finance their luxurious lifestyle and furnish their Windsor house in a display of ‘love’ for the pair since their marriage 20 months ago.

According to a source for the Evening Standard: “There is a great deal of hurt given that the Prince of Wales has gone out of his way to help his son who he loves dearly and embrace his daughter-in-law into the family.

“The figures quoted on the Sussex website are wrong. It does not take into account security for one thing and much of the travel.

“Also talk of what the Prince of Wales only pays towards both his sons from the profits of the Duchy is simply not true. He has paid out considerable sums from his private investments and money too.

“These are not small sums. It should not be a surprise that he is upset by all this given the truth about how he has supported his son.”

Today’s momentous encounter at the Queen’s secluded Sandringham estate was Harry’s first meeting with his grandmother, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cambridge since the scandal rocked the royal family earlier this week, generating headlines across the globe.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced plans for a “transition into a new working model” in 2020, which would see them become “financially independent” on their new website last week.

They will lose £2 million per year from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, while Harry’s father will cover 95% of their brand-Sussex expenses via the Duchy of Cornwall.

Meghan is believed to have ‘dialed in’ from Vancouver to support her husband, while Kate remained at Kensington Palace.

Meghan and Harry will retain Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle, which had a £2.4 million taxpayer-funded renovation last year.

Following today’s crucial discussions, the Queen issued a statement saying that Buckingham Palace “supports” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to leave the royal family – but would have wanted them to remain.

Harry is said to have requested his 93-year-old grandmother, father, and brother for permission to retain their royal titles and carry out royal responsibilities for Her Majesty throughout the world while residing in Canada or the United States.

Despite their departure from the royal family, the pair will continue to receive taxpayer-funded protection.

The choice to declare themselves “financially independent” while depending on money given via a royal title, on the other hand, has raised eyebrows.

The queen’s official statement read: “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. 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.

“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.

“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, Canadians have welcomed the idea of the pair relocating to their nation with wide arms, including the possibility of the couple taking on the position of Governor-General.