Queen's brutal take on Meghan Markle laid bare in explosive new memoirs
Her Majesty was said to be 'not at all happy' with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back from royal duties and move to the US
Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England.
(Image: Getty Images )
Extraordinary new insights have been revealed amid Queen Elizabeth II's thoughts on the "Megxit" saga, according to recently disclosed notes.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith had conducted interviews with Lady Elizabeth, who was known as the late Queen's confidante, and excerpts from these conversations have surfaced on Smith's blog, Extra Substack. One excerpt reveals: "She (Queen Elizabeth II) said she was not at all content."
Another indicates: "Harry was rude to her for ten minutes." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Tensions also arose during the preparations for Harry and Meghan's 2018 nuptials. Reports suggest that the Duchess of Sussex kept details of her Givenchy wedding gown, which boasted an open bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves, from the Queen, reports the Mirror.
The monarch later deemed the dress "flamboyant" and inappropriate for a divorcee, given Meghan's previous marriage to Trevor Engelson.
Smith's notes include Lady Elizabeth's account: "Meghan wouldn't tell her (Queen Elizabeth II) about the wedding dress".
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Lady Elizabeth, a renowned party planner, expressed uncertainty over the Queen's opinion of Meghan, stating: "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan."
The narrative further explores the tension surrounding "Megxit," a term coined for Harry and Meghan's move to the US. The Royal author reveals that this situation deeply upset the Queen, as relayed by Lady Elizabeth.
Speaking to Ms Smith, Lady Elizabeth said: "I was shocked when the Queen told me this, how she was so saddened."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned their wedding gifts due to little-known rule
Until her passing in November 2020 at the age of 79, Lady Elizabeth often served as a confidante for the Queen. Her conversation with Ms Smith took place during her final months, shortly after the Duke and Duchess stepped back from their Royal duties to start a new life in America.
However, recent signs suggest that the couple might be considering a return to Royal life.
One such indication - the use of the titles HRH (His /Her Royal Highness) and the surname Sussex on passport applications for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - left Royal insiders "utterly bewildered" last month.
Richard Eden, a Royal correspondent for the Daily Mail, noted: "The suggestion gives the biggest hint yet that they're hoping to mend fences."
He added: "And it raises the question: Could the Sussexes, who chose to give up boring old public duties to seek their fortune in the US, stage a return to the royal fold via their children?".
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