The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Image Source: Town and Country Magazine
Prince Harry details why according to him Queen Elizabeth did not defend him.
Volume II of Harry and Meghan dropped on Netflix on Thursday, and more revelations from the royal exit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were revealed, including how the royal family handled it.
Prince Harry shared that his grandmother and now late Queen Elizabeth was aware of the struggles the couple was dealing with at the time, as he had spoken to her many times about them. During the interview, Prince Harry also recalled that he was told that the late queen was no longer available to see him in January 2020 after she had told him personally that she was.
Meghan Markle chimes in to explain that looking at the situation from her perspective seemed as the authorities were not only blocking him from seeing the queen, but really what they were doing was blocking a grandson from meeting his grandmother, noting that this is when a family and a family business are in direct conflict.
To surprise his grandmother with the decision to step down as a senior working member of the royal family, Harry said he had enormous respect for her, adding that everyone was aware of the decision. The couple went on to say that at the time, various stories about them relocating and changing roles began to circulate, forcing them to state their decision.
Harry and Meghan ended up spending their first christmas season as mom and dad to son Archie on a family trip to Vancouver Island, Canada. The couple mentioned moving to Canada with Harry's father, then with Prince Charles, while going to carry out royal duties. Charles requested that his son put the plan in written form. Prince Harry outlined the plan in a series of emails, trying to add they would voluntarily give up their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex if necessary, and just five days later, it appeared on the front page of the newspaper, Meghan remembered.
Harry stated that it was evident that the institution had publicly disclosed the fact that they planned to return to Canada and the big component of that story that alerted him aware that the aspects of his and his father's mail had been already made public was that they'd be willing to give up their Sussex titles. That was the tip-off. As per Harry, the intention to relocate to Canada has thus been "axed" because it has now become a public discussion.
Harry also said that he requested a meeting with the senior members of the royal family but was denied one until Meghan had to go back to Canada to be with their son Archie. On the same note, Meghan shares that can someone imagine having a conversation, a roundtable discussion, about their future when the stakes are this high and, being a mother and a wife along with being a target, she was not invited to have a seat at the table? Harry added that it seemed to him that they had planned it so that she was not there. Harry met with Queen Elizabeth, the then-Prince Charles, and Prince William at the monarch's country estate in Norfolk.
He described that he made the same suggestion that the two had made publicly. But then once, he was given five options: one was really in, no change, and five was out, so he chose alternative three in the meeting: partially in, partially out; keep their jobs while also continuing to support the Queen. Notwithstanding this, he claimed that his choice elicited an unyielding response from his family. Prince said it was disturbing to have his brother shout and scream at him, and his father says remarks that simply weren't correct, and his grandmother sits down and sort of ended up taking it all in.
He then describes that from a family's point of view, particularly his late grandmother and Queen's adding that there are different ways to do things and that her final objective, main objective, cut, and commitment is the institution. He continues by stating that if the Queen hears from someone else that the way that proposed plan or their action of stepping down and relocation will be regarded as an invasion of the institution, she will listen to them. Maybe that is why she did not defend him but he holds no grudge against her.
The Duke of Sussex went on to say that it was difficult to see his family members believe that it was more about them and possibly their issues than it was about their partner, the media, and themselves, and that relationship that was causing so much pain for the couple. Prince says that the royal family members saw what they wanted to see. Harry notes that the saddest part of the whole situation is the wedge created between him and his brother so that he is now on the institution's side.
Harry adds that like the entitlements, he tends to make for his grandmother, he acknowledges the same is truly the case for his brother. When Prince Harry says that he comprehends it is his legacy, he is referring to Prince William, who is the next person in line to the British royal throne. So, he adds that to a certain extent, he has been aware that the continued existence and continued existence of this organization is part of his obligation.
Volumes I and II of Harry & Meghan are currently streaming on Netflix.
