Prince Harry’s Meghan Markle dilemma is ‘lasting legacy of Queen’s determination to protect her family,’ expert says
PRINCE Harry has been left with a huge dilemma because of the late Queen’s determination to protect her family, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is reportedly toying with the idea of making a Royal Family comeback after “losing his way” in the States.
Harry quit Britain in 2020 and jetted to California with his wife Meghan Markle where they now live with their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
The senior royals announced on Instagram their plan to “step back” from their duties and become financially independent.
The pair said they wanted to “carve out a progressive new role” while still supporting Queen Elizabeth.
But at a hastily convened summit at Sandringham in January 2020 the Queen’s decision was swift and final.
The wantaway couple were told there was no “half-in, half-out” role and that they could not have their cake and eat it as they were wished good luck in their new life.
Royal author Phil Dampier explained: “The late Queen Elizabeth made it very clear to Harry that you couldn’t be ‘half-in, half-out’ of the Royal Family.
“You couldn’t do a few jobs here and there when it suited you, and also commercialise what you were doing in America.”
Sunday will mark two years since Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle after a reign lasting 70 years.
And King Charles has stuck to the Queen’s wishes, although the royal expert claimed he would “like” a reconciliation.
Mr Dampier continued: “I think obviously the King would like to have a reconciliation with his son at some point.
“Not the least because he’d like to see more of his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.
“He’s only met them once or twice and that is a very tragic situation.
“But until he’s a lot fitter, and feeling able to cope with situations that aren’t stressful to him, I don’t think we’re going to see much progress on that.”
It comes after shock claims that Harry is seeking guidance on a return to Britain — and to the Royal Family.
How the pain of Harry and Meghan's exit defined the Queen's final years
THROUGHOUT her reign and service, the Queen’s role was chiefly head of state while the Duke of Edinburgh was left to be head of the family.
But when Prince Harry and Meghan revealed on Instagram they were quitting royal duties to live in America, it was a crisis that required the Queen to be both.
At a hastily convened summit at Sandringham in January 2020 her decision was swift and final; the Sussexes can leave the family business but not have the trappings that come with being royal.
The wantaway couple were told there was no “half-in, half-out” role and that they could not have their cake and eat it as they were wished good luck in their new life.
In her statement the Queen thanked them for their “dedicated” work saying she was “particularly proud of Meghan”.
She added: “It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
This new beginning was anything but peaceful for the Queen.
Because although the couple had quit royal service, they remained in the family.
As one palace insider put it: “They might no longer be working members of the Royal Family but they are not in exile.”
Leaving royal life and service to the crown and state was never a consideration or choice for the Queen.
She was catapulted into succession when her uncle Edward VIII quit royal service to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1936.
Seeing the impact on her father scarred the Queen’s early years but she rose to dedicate herself to a life of service.
So in her mid-90s — forced to isolate in Windsor Castle as Covid-19 raged — the Queen was asked to step up and deal with this cross-Atlantic family crisis, again and again and again.
He has reportedly consulted his trusted former aides here after growing sick of the Hollywood reps he and Meghan employ.
Pals claim he feels he has lost his way and dislikes being overshadowed by her in public.
Meghan, 43, took centre stage during their visits to Nigeria in May and Colombia last month.
And those in Harry’s inner circle have noted that he seems to enjoy regular solo trips back to the UK, with Meghan refusing to set foot in the country.
I think obviously the King would like to have a reconciliation with his son at some point.
Phil Dampier
A source close to them told The Sun: “Harry is feeling more and more isolated in California, which is why he has been reconnecting with old friends back home.
“The Colombia trip also really highlighted how Meghan is comfortable stepping into the spotlight, while Harry cuts a very sulky, unhappy figure in the background.
“He wants to carve out a way back into royal life back in the UK and is seeking counsel from old friends and associates.”
Meanwhile Harry and William both attended the funeral service for their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes.
They were last in the same place together at King Charles’ coronation – where they sat separately and Harry made a quick exit.
The Sussexes have been approached for comment.
REMEMBERING OUR QUEEN
By Henry Martin
A MONUMENT to Queen Elizabeth II will be unveiled to honour her life and legacy.
The sculpture will be open to the public in St James’s Park, London, in 2026 – which would have been the monarch’s centenary year.
Plans to create a national legacy programme and a permanent memorial were made following the Queen’s death on September 8, 2022.
Her former private secretary, Lord Robin Janvrin, was made chair of a special committee which has worked with the Government and Royal Household to create this monument.
He passed away at the age of 82 following an important career within the Royal Family.
An announcement about the nature of the sculpture is set to take place this weekend on the two-year anniversary of her death, the Mirror reports.
Queen Elizabeth II’s memorial is set to be erected near the statue of Queen Victoria, which is located outside Buckingham Palace on The Mall.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said they would not comment on speculation.
The news comes after Queen Camilla gave an update on King Charles’ cancer, saying the monarch is “doing very well”.
Camilla visited the Royal United Hospitals in Bath earlier this week to open the new Dyson Cancer Centre there.
She met several patients undergoing chemotherapy at the centre.
Macmillan Cancer Support worker Suzy Moon asked after Charles during Camilla’s visit.
When Moon asked “Is he OK?”, Camilla replied: “Yes, he is doing very well.”
Charles has been taking his end-of-summer holiday at the Balmoral Castle estate in Aberdeenshire.
The King’s cancer ordeal began in January when he revealed he needed a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate.
He decided to allow the public to know what he was going through, which resulted in a huge outpouring of sympathy.
Brave Charles was touched by the public reaction but also significantly buoyed when it was revealed the NHS website received 11 times more daily visits from men with similar concerns.