Royal Family Drama: Queen Elizabeth II's Private Views on Harry and Meghan's "Megxit" Revealed

Strategic Insights -

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to quit royal duties, dubbed "Megxit," left Queen Elizabeth II feeling "saddened" and "not at all content," private notes from the late monarch reveal. The explosive disclosures, shared by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, shed light on the Queen's views on the couple's departure. The notes detail tensions around the couple's wedding in 2018, particularly around Meghan's Givenchy dress, which the Queen found "flamboyant." The Queen's cousin and trusted aide, Lady Elizabeth Anson, also shared her doubts about Meghan's suitability as a royal, stating, "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan." The situation left the Queen and her family in an awkward position, with Lady Elizabeth describing her as "shocked" by the Queen's sadness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Queen Elizabeth II was "not at all content" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to quit royal duties.
  • The Queen found Meghan's Givenchy wedding dress "flamboyant" and thought it wasn't suitable for a divorcee.
  • Lady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth's cousin and trusted aide, was initially unsure about Meghan's suitability as a royal, saying, "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan."
  • The Queen's cousin shared that the Queen was "shocked" by her sadness over Harry and Meghan's departure.
  • The couple's decision to quit royal duties led to tension in the royal family, with Lady Elizabeth describing the situation as "awkward."
  • There have been hints that the couple may be eyeing a return to the royal fold, including the inclusion of their titles HRH and surname Sussex on their children's passport applications.

Statistics:

  • The Queen used Lady Elizabeth as a sounding board until her death in November 2020, at the age of 79.
  • The couple quit royal duties four years after tying the knot in 2018.
  • The Queen's final months saw her discussing the couple's departure with Lady Elizabeth, shortly after their decision to leave the UK for California.
  • The couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, have had their titles and surname included on their passport applications, sparking speculation about their possible return to the royal fold.

Sources:

  • Sally Bedell Smith, a royal biographer, shared the private notes on her blog, Extra Substack.
  • Richard Eden, a royal reporter with the Daily Mail, wrote about the potential implications of the couple's potential return to the royal fold.
  • The original notes shared by Lady Elizabeth Anson were obtained by Sally Bedell Smith for her research.