The Queen Elizabeth II was deeply saddened by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s choice to step back from royal duties in 2020, viewing it as a missed opportunity, according to royal author Robert Hardman. Six years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex caused a global stir by announcing their decision to distance themselves from the Royal Family and move to the United States.
Although the Palace publicly supported Harry and Meghan’s move, behind closed doors, the late Queen was reportedly heartbroken over her grandson’s decision. In his latest book, “Elizabeth II: In Private, In Public, The Inside Story,” released to coincide with the late monarch’s centenary, Hardman revealed that Queen Elizabeth believed Harry and Meghan had everything they could desire but were determined to walk away from it all to separate from the Royal Family.
Describing the Queen as “enormously upset and terribly sad about a wasted opportunity,” Hardman noted that she took decisive action during the Sandringham Summit, ruling out any possibility of Harry having a part-time role within the Firm. Harry, Meghan, and their son Archie eventually left the UK to start afresh in the US.
The Queen, known for her calm and practical approach, sympathized with Harry, understanding the challenges faced by spare heirs like him and her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Despite the rift that developed after their departure from the Firm, Harry and Meghan returned to the UK for the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022, where they stood alongside other members of the Royal Family.
The relationship between Harry and his father, King Charles, has reportedly been strained, with only a few meetings held to mend their bond. The Queen’s pragmatic nature and understanding of spare heirs’ struggles were highlighted by Hardman, emphasizing her enduring support for Harry and her innate sympathy towards those in similar positions within the Royal Family.