It has always been said that Prince Harry had a good relationship with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. She seemed to appreciate his somewhat rebellious character and his escapades. However, this closeness would have changed during the preparations for his wedding with Meghan Markle.
The information comes from a conversation between Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, event organizer and the queen's cousin, and the monarch. According to this conversation, Harry was "rude to his grandmother for ten minutes" over the wedding plans. The queen was upset for not having been consulted for the big day, as revealed by journalist Sally Bedell Smith.
In February 2018, Lady Elizabeth met Meghan and described her as a woman "full of charm." However, Meghan and Harry didn't want Lady Elizabeth to organize the wedding. Harry explained to her that "they were going another way" and that the queen agreed, although she later denied it.
The wedding and its complications
Queen Elizabeth II was dismayed when Harry asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to officiate the wedding without consulting the Dean of Windsor. This broke with royal family traditions and was a sign of disrespect. Lady Elizabeth stated that this damaged the relationship between Harry and his grandmother.
The organizer, who died in 2020, said that the queen was sad and upset. "I was very shocked when the Queen told me," said Lady Elizabeth. In addition, she didn't know that Harry had been rude to Elizabeth II in a private conversation.
Harry and Meghan had tea with the queen shortly before the wedding. The monarch wanted to know details about the wedding dress, but Meghan didn't want to tell her anything. This further increased family tensions.
Tensions with other family members
The queen also expressed concern about the tensions between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton. This rivalry would have further complicated the family atmosphere. The distance between Harry and the royal family began to be noticed from then on.
The change in the relationship came at a key moment for the monarchy. The wedding was followed with worldwide attention, but there were problems in private. The tension between Harry and the queen shows a more human side of the crown.
Although Harry has always shown respect publicly, these revelations point to difficult moments. The family story has both light and shadow, and this is one of them.
An unexpected turn in the relationship
This episode shows that even the most famous families have conflicts. The monarchy, with its protocol, isn't exempt from personal tensions. The differences in the wedding organization showed a rift with the queen.
Lady Elizabeth, with much experience, was surprised by Harry's attitude. She regretted the damage to a relationship that seemed close. Her testimony provides a new perspective on the problems in the royal family.
The story highlights the importance of communication and respect. The distancing was not only personal, but also due to decisions that affected traditions. This gives more depth to what is seen in public.
Reflections after the wedding
Since then, Harry and Meghan have made decisions that have distanced them even further from the royal family. Their departure from the United Kingdom marked a turning point. These revelations help to better understand their distancing.
The relationship with the queen is only one part of a complicated picture. Rumors and tensions continue to be news for the public. This episode confirms that there were deep frictions.
Ultimately, this story shows that no one is free from conflict, not even royalty. The relationship between Harry and his grandmother reflects universal family challenges. The crown also has its shadows.