Big decision that spells a permanent end to the ‘Fab Four’

There have been plenty of signs of tension between the young royals — but a decision this week will signal whether the split is permanent.

For months now, reports of a rift between the one-time “Fab Four” — Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — have generated endless headlines and negative publicity for the royal family.

There have been just enough leaked stories from Palace insiders to fuel the narrative — like the dress fitting incident before Harry and Meghan’s wedding, during which it’s claimed Meghan made Kate cry while Princess Charlotte was trying on her flower girl gown. Or the report that William warned his younger brother to reconsider rushing into marriage with the Hollywood star, asking him, “Are you sure?” before the proposal even took place.

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William and Harry with their father, Prince Charles.

Amid all the speculation, the Sussexes announced they were moving out of Kensington Palace — and tellingly, away from the Cambridges — in favour of a more private life down the road at Frogmore Cottage. Since then, they’ve separated their royal staff and established their own dedicated team and created an independent social media account.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have branched out on their own. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

Royal biographer Penny Junor claims she was told by the princes’ former private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the original plan had been for them to continue working together “to the full” — a strategy that has clearly been abandoned.

It’s certainly hard to argue the brothers and their wives want some space from each other.

Kate and Meghan have never been close.

But the biggest sign of a parting of the ways is yet to come — with royal watchers keenly observing conversations around the future of The Royal Foundation, according to the UK’s The Times.

TRF was established by William and Harry in 2009 and later welcomed Kate and Meghan into the fold.

The image of the four of them on stage last year, shortly after the announcement of Harry and Meghan’s engagement, appeared to be a picture-perfect snapshot of the powerful alliance between the popular young royals.

Royal fans loved seeing the four unite on stage last year. Picture: Chris Jackson — WPA Pool/Getty Images

But with the Cambridge and Sussex split looking increasingly more permanent, speculation is rife Palace aides are already quietly co-ordinating Harry and Meghan’s exit from the organisation.

Last month, The Sun quoted a source explaining: “The couples have been given two options — the first is to leave things as they are and the second a complete split. Nothing has been formally ratified, but all the mood music is suggesting the Sussexes will break away.

“The Sussexes weren’t in a rush to make any changes, but the Cambridges were. However, it’s a complex procedure and very sensitive. Nothing will be done quickly, and it’ll be a phased untangling of many of the joint initiatives, not an overnight chop.”

The decision is expected to formally be announced this week, and if the Sussexes are quitting TRF, it will be the most significant move yet.

“The foundation’s the one to watch,” a former royal staffer told The Times. “If it doesn’t hold together, that’s a real sign there’s a problem.”