Royal rift with Sussexes very sad: Edward

The rift between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of the royal family has been "difficult for everyone", the Earl of Wessex says.

Speaking on what would have been his father the Duke of Edinburgh's 100th birthday, Edward said all senior royals had faced "excessive" media intrusion over the years, adding: "We've all dealt with it in slightly different ways."

Asked by American news network CNN about the "family rift which is undeniably there", the earl replied with a laugh: "Are you euphemistically referring to Harry and Meghan?"

He described the situation that saw the couple step back as senior royals as "very sad", adding: "We've all been there before."

"It's very sad, weirdly we've all been there before - we've all had excessive intrusion and attention in our lives," he said.

"We've all dealt with it in slightly different ways, and, listen, we wish them the very best of luck.

"It's a really hard decision."

Edward continued: "(It's) fantastic news about the baby, that's great. I hope they will be very happy and it's just ... families are families, aren't they, really?"

Asked how his mother the Queen is coping with the split on top of losing her husband, the earl said: "It's difficult for everyone, but, as I said, that's families for you."

In a separate interview with the BBC, Edward was asked how he is coping with the royal rift.

He replied: "I stay well out of it. It's much the safest place to be."