Markle & Harry: Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Distress, New Book Reveals

Royal biographer claims Meghan and Harry caused Queen Elizabeth II significant distress

New revelations from a royal biographer suggest that the late Queen Elizabeth II experienced considerable anguish in the final years of her life, with much of it attributed to the actions and decisions of her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. According to royal biographer Hugo Vickers, the couple’s marriage, which took place in 2018, was a source of heartache for the monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022 after an unprecedented seven decades on the British throne, reportedly had “much on her mind” during the twilight of her reign. Vickers’ new book about the Queen delves into the pressures she faced, highlighting not only the “family problems with Prince Harry and the then-Prince Andrew” but also the complexities of dealing with an “increasingly maverick Prime Minister in Boris Johnson.” These external and internal pressures, the biographer contends, cast a shadow over the Queen’s later years.

Vickers’ assessment of the impact of Harry and Meghan’s actions is stark. He noted, “Whenever Prince Harry called his grandmother, she asked her lady-in-waiting to stay with her. The distress the Sussexes caused the Queen in the last years of her life cannot be overestimated.” This detail suggests a level of emotional strain that required constant support for the monarch during her interactions with her grandson.

The Royal Wedding: A Timeline of Royal Advice and Unheeded Counsel

The biography, penned by Vickers, is based on extensive personal interactions with the Queen, having met with her on over 40 occasions in the preceding 55 years. He pinpoints Meghan’s entry into the royal family, beginning when she started dating Prince Harry in mid-2016, as a particularly significant period for the Queen.

Vickers’ account reveals a moment where the Queen herself offered advice regarding the timing of Harry’s marriage. “The Queen herself suggested that Harry should wait a year [before his marriage],” Vickers wrote. However, this counsel was not followed. Instead, the wedding proceeded swiftly, occurring just over six months after the couple announced their engagement in November 2017.

Meghan Markle, the former Suits star, and Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games, officially announced their engagement in November 2017, culminating in their much-publicised wedding in May 2018. The grand nuptials were held at the historic St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, drawing a star-studded guest list and a significant contingent of “The Firm” – the inner circle of the Royal Family.

Prince Harry’s Memoir: A Glimpse into Seeking Royal Permission

Prince Harry himself offered a personal perspective on seeking the Queen’s blessing for his proposal in his 2023 memoir, Spare. He recounted a specific moment where he approached his grandmother for her permission to ask Meghan to marry him. The setting for this significant request was amidst a field, with the Queen accompanied by her beloved hunting dogs.

Harry’s recollection vividly portrays the Queen’s anticipation. “I saw her waiting for me to speak, and not waiting patiently. Her face radiated: ‘Out with it,'” he wrote. He described clearing his throat and explaining his intentions: “‘Granny, you know I love Meg very much, and I’ve decided that I would like to ask her to marry me, and I’ve been told that, er, that I have to ask your permission before I can propose.'”

The Queen’s response, as detailed by Harry, was one of mild surprise. “‘You have to?'” he recalled the monarch questioning. “‘That’s what your staff told me, and my staff as well. That I have to ask your permission,'” Harry explained. After a moment, the Queen finally replied, “‘Well, then, I suppose I have to say yes.'”

Harry’s interpretation of this exchange in his memoir highlights his eventual realisation: “At long last I realised: She’s saying yes, you muppet! She’s granting permission. Who cares how she words it, just know when to take yes for an answer,” he concluded. This anecdote offers a personal insight into the dynamics and traditions within the Royal Family, even as external reports suggest a more troubled undercurrent during the Queen’s later years.