Prince Harry and Meghan Markle courageously decided that they would be quitting their senior roles in the royal family.
But it was Queen Elizabeth II’s reaction to their bombshell announcement that made Prince Harry and Meghan Markle feared for the most.
While the Duchess of Sussex established a relationship with Her Majesty, it’s one thing the 94-year-old monarch to welcome an American actress and divorcee. But it’s a whole other thing when it came to her approval of the Sussexes’ exit.
Before Meghan Markle, it was Princess Diana
It is a common fact that she didn’t famously approve of Princess Diana.
According to royal author Robert Lacey, who wrote Battle of Brothers: William and Harry – The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult, Queen Elizabeth II hasn’t cut ties with the former Suits star, as she did with the late Princess Diana.
There was no love lost when it came to the Queen and the Princess of Wales’ relationship when it was time for the mom-of-two to bid royal life goodbye.
During her death, Lacey noted that Her Majesty’s concern was primarily for her grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Lacey also mentioned that the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, “had long ceased being fans of their ex-daughter-in-law.”
Moreover, the author credits the monarch’s ability to be more helpful when it comes to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Megxit.
More forward-thinking Queen
The two Princes’ grandmother is more forward-thinking now compared to before.
While Meghan may have some harsh words about the royal family and how they conduct themselves, she’s still the British monarchy’s best shot for “moving into the 21st century.”
Lacey told SheKnows that there’s a political sense when Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Meghan as the first-ever mixed recruit.
“And so it must be distressing for the Queen that 30 months later, this mixed recruit and her mixed-race son Archie are no longer classed as royal.”
He added, “If everybody welcomed Meghan as a sign of the royal family’s contact with Black Lives Matter and racial progress and harmony in this country, what does it mean when they’re separate from the royal family?”
Queen Elizabeth II also recognized that having an all-white royal family representing her commonwealth may not look good. Meghan could’ve helped make a change in their representation.
Why the Queen has not cut ties with Meghan
But the one reason she’s still holding on to Meghan Markle has everything to do with one of her weaknesses as a grandmother.
Lacey revealed that the Queen is emotionally closer to Prince William and Prince Harry than her sons, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
“Whenever she’s been with Meghan, she’s exhibiting the most cordial, outgoing affection for her,” Lacey said.
“We know that’s what she feels for Harry. We can presume that she will welcome anybody who makes her grandson happy.”
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