Today marks the three-year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing—a moment etched in the collective memory of the world.
The profound grief experienced by the Royal Family was palpable as they bid farewell to the matriarch who had steadfastly guided the monarchy for seventy years.
However, amidst this national sorrow, a personal conflict arose involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Sources close to the royal family suggest that King Charles III explicitly instructed Harry to make the journey to Balmoral without Meghan.
On September 8, 2022, when alarming news about the Queen’s declining health reached them, Harry and Meghan were in the UK.
The couple quickly made plans to head to Balmoral, stirring a flurry of activities in the royal circles.
During a call from his father, Harry learned that it was deemed unsuitable for Meghan to join him at such a solemn occasion.
The source indicated that King Charles felt it was inappropriate for anyone other than the closest family members to be present during this deeply sorrowful time.
With Kate Middleton staying behind in London, the exclusion of Meghan became a focal point of conversation.
“Charles made it very clear that Meghan wouldn’t be welcome,” the source detailed, highlighting how serious the situation was perceived to be within royal circles.
The revelation of Harry and Meghan’s plans was released to a select group of journalists at 1:53 PM, indicating that they would be traveling to Balmoral.
This announcement caught the attention of the Palace, sparking incredulity among aides who were blindsided by the news.
The controversy escalated rapidly, as there was a 30-minute window after the announcement where uncertainty loomed.
The Sussexes’ spokesperson quickly issued a clarification stating that only Harry was now making the trip north, leaving aides relieved and puzzled simultaneously.
Speculation about the circumstances leading to this decision is abundant.
Some believe that Harry and Meghan overlooked the fact that other family members—including Kate—would not be attending, and upon realizing the situation, understood the optics of the matter.
Others speculate that Meghan’s absence was effectively enforced, as it was highlighted that the other wives would not be present.
Despite the tension surrounding this domestic drama, Harry ultimately opted to leave without Meghan, a decision that impacted him deeply.
He arrived too late to say his final farewell to the Queen, his private jet landing an hour and a half after the announcement of Her Majesty’s death was made.
Harry recounted the moment he learned of his grandmother’s passing in his memoir, describing the shock he felt when he saw the BBC’s breaking news.
“When the plane started to descend, my phone lit up.
It was a message from Meg: ‘Call me when you get this,’” he shared, illustrating the emotional weight of the situation.
Days later, in a surprising display of unity, Harry and Meghan joined William and Kate for a public walkabout at Windsor, appearing together just two years after their withdrawal as working royals and a year after their contentious interview with Oprah Winfrey.
However, according to royal commentators, this show of solidarity masked the underlying tensions that persisted among the families.
Robert Jobson, a royal author, noted that this forced display was particularly challenging for Kate, who admitted to a senior member of the royal family that the joint appearance was one of her toughest experiences due to the lingering discord between the households.
After remaining in the UK for nearly three weeks leading up to the Queen’s funeral on September 19, Meghan was visibly moved during the ceremonies, shedding tears as she awaited alongside Queen Camilla and Kate.
In her participation in the somber procession, she demonstrated her resilience and commitment to family during a difficult time.
Recently, Meghan revealed her struggle with separation from her children during that poignant period, sharing how she felt unwell being away from Archie and Lilibet for nearly three weeks.
In his memoir, Harry echoed her sentiments, calling the time of his grandmother’s death and funeral a “difficult” chapter largely marked by their separation.
However, following a so-called “peace summit” in July, there are signs that the fissures between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family might be healing.
King Charles is expected to meet with Harry this month—his first meeting with his son in 20 months—during Harry’s visit to London for the anniversary of the Queen’s passing and attendance at the WellChild Awards, a charity he passionately supports.