Royal Rift: Prince Harry's Decision Sparks Tension with Grandmother

Strategic Insights -

In the lead-up to his fairytale wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, Prince Harry made a decision that reportedly left his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, "dismayed" and "shocked." According to royal author Sally Bedell Smith, a close friend of the Queen, Lady Elizabeth Anson, revealed that the former monarch was upset about the arrangements being made for the wedding. Lady Anson claimed that the Queen was particularly displeased with Harry's decision to ask the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the ceremony without first consulting the Dean of Windsor.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prince Harry's decision to ask the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the ceremony without consulting the Dean of Windsor reportedly left Queen Elizabeth II "dismayed" and "shocked."
  • Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of Elizabeth II and a high-society party planner, revealed that the former monarch was upset about the arrangements being made for the wedding.
  • Harry had allegedly "blown" his relationship with his grandmother over this decision.
  • Several weeks before the wedding, Harry and the Queen reportedly "patched things up" after Harry shared details of the wedding plans with her.
  • The late Queen appeared to have been concerned about the dynamics between Harry and Meghan, mentioning that she was "not working well" with William and Kate.
  • Lady Elizabeth Anson described Harry as "besotted and weak about women."

Statistics:

  • The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on May 19, 2018, at Windsor Castle.
  • Lady Elizabeth Anson founded the firm Party Planners in 1960 and went on to arrange events for a number of people in the royal houses, including the Queen.
  • In 2020, the late Queen made Lady Elizabeth Anson a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Sources:

  • Sally Bedell Smith, writing on her Substack, citing her conversation with Lady Elizabeth Anson.
  • The Mirror has contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.
  • The Guardian, "Lady Elizabeth Anson: a life of high society and royal duty", referencing Lady Anson's work as a party planner and her relationship with the Queen.
  • The Telegraph, "Queen Elizabeth II's personal rules and traditions", mentioning the Queen's use of the Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.