Queen Elizabeth expressed deep disappointment over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020, considering it a missed opportunity, a royal author reveals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s move to relocate to the United States six years ago caused a stir worldwide. Although the Palace publicly supported their choice, behind closed doors, the late Queen felt devastated by her grandson’s choice.
In a new book titled “Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story,” released to commemorate the late monarch’s centenary, royal author Robert Hardman disclosed the Queen’s belief that Harry and Meghan had been given everything they could desire but opted to walk away from the Royal Family. The Queen’s decisive actions during the Sandringham Summit determined that Harry could not maintain a half-in, half-out role within the Firm.
Harry, Meghan, and their son, Archie, ultimately left the UK to start afresh in America. Despite offering the couple time to reconsider, the Queen privately acknowledged that she doubted they would reverse their decision, as they had made up their minds. Following their departure, the royal household faced uncertainty on how to navigate such a significant change.
The late Queen cherished her grandson Harry and empathized with his position as the spare to Prince William, the heir to the throne. She had a similar understanding for her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, recognizing the challenges faced by second-born siblings compared to their older counterparts.
Since exiting the royal scene in 2020, Harry and Meghan have distanced themselves further from the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex has had limited interactions with his father, King Charles, as they strive to mend their relationship. Despite the rift, the family united to mourn the late Queen’s passing in September 2022, with Harry and Meghan returning to the UK for the funeral, marking Meghan’s final visit to the country.
