Meghan Markle's decision to break royal protocol 'felt like a punch' to the Royal Family

Sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted that Kensington Palace "signed off" on the magazine feature.

In the candid interview, Meghan spoke openly about her romance with Harry, stating: "We're in love. This [time] is for us. It's part of what makes it so special, that it's just ours. But we're happy. Personally, I love a great love story."

However, royal sources expressed concern about the interview breaking from established protocol.

A royal source told the Mail that the article felt "like a punch to the solar plexus."

The source highlighted how both Kate Middleton and Lady Diana Spencer waited until after their engagements were officially announced before giving interviews.

These traditional engagement interviews were carefully organised by Palace officials under strict conditions.

The timing was particularly notable, as Harry and Meghan's engagement wasn't announced until two months after the Vanity Fair article appeared.

"We do not expect friends of members of the Royal Family to give such interviews," the royal source stated.

The conflicting accounts highlight tensions surrounding the interview's approval process.

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While sources close to the Sussexes maintain the Palace approved the feature, officials reportedly only "reluctantly agreed" to the concept without knowing its contents.

"While people were pleased that Harry had found a serious girlfriend, the article did set alarm bells ringing," a royal source told the Mail.

"It made people worry that Miss Markle was seeking to use the relationship for publicity purposes."