Queen Elizabeth was reportedly deeply saddened by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020, viewing it as a missed opportunity. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s move to relocate to the United States six years ago shocked the world. Despite publicly supporting their decision, the Queen privately felt heartbroken over her grandson’s choice.
According to royal author Robert Hardman, in his book “Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story,” the Queen believed Harry and Meghan had everything they could desire within the Royal Family but were determined to walk away from it all. This led to the Queen’s decisive actions during the Sandringham Summit, where it was decided that Harry could not have a part-time role within the Firm.
Following their departure from royal duties, Harry, Meghan, and their son Archie started a new life in America. Despite granting them a period to reconsider, the Queen eventually accepted that they were unlikely to change their minds. Hardman highlighted the Queen’s calm and practical demeanor in handling the unprecedented situation, while some Palace officials struggled to maintain stability amidst the changes.
The late Queen had a strong affection for her grandson Harry, understanding the challenges faced by spare heirs like him and her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Both Harry and Andrew had less defined roles compared to their older siblings, which concerned the Queen. Since leaving the Firm, Harry and Meghan have distanced themselves from the Royal Family, with Harry having limited meetings with his father King Charles as they work on repairing their relationship.
Despite the rift, Harry and Meghan returned to the UK to mourn the late Queen’s death in 2022, with Harry standing alongside his brother and father at the funeral. This marked Meghan’s final visit to the UK.
