Things have been moving very quickly across the pond since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shocked the world with their decision to step down as senior royals.

There has been much speculation about who knew what and when, what their futures will look like as they work to become “financially independent,” and, of course, why this is happening at all. In a new People story, a friend of the couple says, “If relationships had been better, things would have been different.”

“This is not how they wanted to handle this, but Meghan and Harry’s hand was forced,” the friend continued. “There is so much bad blood in that family—it’s toxic.” (The person did not call out any specific members of the royal family by name.) Another source told People that the negative press left Markle, in particular, “deeply, deeply hurt.”

“Meghan and Harry didn’t feel they got enough comfort or solace from them,” the source also said.

Whatever is actually going on inside the family is hard for anyone to guess. But we do know Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry joined the queen at Sandringham yesterday for a summit to discuss solutions and possible plans for the Sussex’s future. Ahead of the meeting, the brothers released a joint statement condemning a story that stated William had “bullied” Prince Harry and Markle out of the family. “Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a U.K. newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex & The Duke of Cambridge. For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful,” the statement read.

Queen Elizabeth also emphasized family in her statement yesterday after the meeting. “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,” she said.

It’s expected that decisions surrounding what Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s future will look like will be made quickly, per the queen’s request. As for the complicated family stuff, that may take longer.

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