The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William have ordered their teams to find a "workable solution" for Prince Harry and Meghan's future roles within the royal family.
A Buckingham Palace source says the senior royals have asked aides to work "at pace" with governments and Harry and Meghan's household, and an outcome was expected to take "days, not weeks."
It comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a bombshell statement on Wednesday saying they would be "stepping back" as senior royals.
The Queen and other members of the family were said to be left "hurt" by Harry and Meghan's decision to issue a personal statement, which outlined their future lives as financially independent royals who will divide their time between the UK and North America.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Source: Getty Images Europe
The PA news agency understands the royal family will talk to multiple governments, which suggests US and Canadian officials may be involved.
It appears the head of state tried to forestall any announcements after her grandson asked to meet at her private Sandringham estate, the Evening Standard newspaper reported, only to be "ignored" by the couple.
The latest developments reveal the divisions within the heart of the British monarchy, which has already been rocked by Prince Andrew's disastrous television interview about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Harry and Meghan went ahead and released their personal statement on Wednesday evening, which was a "bolt from the blue" for Buckingham Palace, sources told the PA news agency.
The statement - and a new official Sussexroyal.com website - have thrown up important questions about funding for the couple's round-the-clock security, media access to their royal events and how they will pay for their future lifestyles.
A series of commentators have strongly criticised their decision, with public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski saying "it does feel like a royal couple in exile".
It is already known the Queen, Prince Charles and other senior royals were not consulted about the content of the couple's statement or knew it was to be issued.
The Standard said Charles and William only received it 10 minutes before it was released.
A Buckingham Palace source says the senior royals have asked aides to work "at pace" with governments and Harry and Meghan's household. Source: Chris Jackson Collection
Over the festive period, the newspaper stated Charles told his son to come up with a thought-out plan for his wish to spend more time in Canada and America.
When Harry put forward a draft proposal he was told time was needed to consider its implications, particularly funding.
The Queen agreed to Harry's request to meet when he returned from Canada but the duke was told his grandmother would not discuss his proposals before he had talked them through with his father.
