In a surprising new revelation, a former royal staff member has detailed the late Queen Elizabeth II's discreet efforts to preserve peace between two of the most prominent women in the Royal Family: the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex.
The Fab Four's Promising Start
When Prince Harry first introduced Meghan Markle to the world, she was reportedly welcomed with open arms by his brother, Prince William, and his wife, then the Duchess of Cambridge. The public and royal watchers were captivated by the potential of this new "Fab Four," hoping their joint appearances signalled a strong, lasting bond that would modernise the monarchy.
Their early engagements were a public relations success, painting a picture of a unified and forward-thinking family. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect alliance, strains were beginning to show.
Behind-the-Scenes Strains and the Queen's Intervention
According to Grant Harrold, a former royal butler who worked for the monarch, the late Queen was deeply committed to maintaining a united front. "The late Queen was known for her deep commitment to maintaining unity within the Royal Family," Harrold explained. "If she sensed any tension, particularly between Kate and Meghan, she would have quietly stepped in to try and smooth things over."
Harrold, speaking on behalf of Slingo, suggested that as Prince Harry and Meghan's relationship grew more serious, the dynamics within the family began to shift. The Queen, ever observant, would have taken note of any signs of strain. "Her focus was always on preserving a strong and united front, especially among the younger generation of royals," he added, indicating that the monarch would have acted as a discreet mediator.
The Conflicting Accounts of a Royal Wedding Dispute
The tensions reportedly came to a head around the time of Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding. Initial reports claimed that a disagreement over Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress had left Kate in tears. This narrative was publicly challenged nearly three years later by Meghan herself.
During her headline-making interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess of Sussex presented a different version of events. Meghan disputed the original story, asserting that "the reverse of that happened." She did, however, confirm that an argument had taken place and that Kate had later apologised.
"She was upset about something, but she owned it and she apologised and she brought me flowers and a note apologising," Meghan told Oprah, adding that this was what she herself would do "to just take accountability for it."
This revelation from a former palace insider offers a new perspective on the late Queen's role, portraying her not just as the head of state, but as a dedicated matriarch determined to guide her family through turbulent times with quiet diplomacy and a steadfast commitment to unity.
