A new royal biography has finally shed light on why Meghan Markle was allegedly asked not to accompany the royal family to Balmoral to be with the late Queen Elizabeth II on her deathbed.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, after a remarkable 70-year reign, plunging the nation into mourning. Previous reports suggested that Meghan was asked to stay away by then Prince Charles, allowing Prince Harry to visit his grandmother alone.
It was also believed that a similar request was made to Prince William, asking him to leave Kate Middleton behind. However, a new biography titled "Charles III: New King, New Court - The Inside Story" by Robert Hardman, reveals a different story.
According to Hardman, Kate was not explicitly asked to stay behind; she chose to do so to support her three children as they began attending a new school. This decision was conveniently used to help calm Prince Harry when he was informed that Meghan was not welcome at Balmoral. The royal family wanted to focus on their final goodbyes without engaging in any potential conflicts or distractions.
During this period, Prince William appeared distant from his brother. Despite being in the UK, Prince Harry allegedly only communicated with Prince William about his travel plans through text messages. In his memoir "Spare," Harry recalls receiving a call from his father, warning him about the Queen's deteriorating health. He immediately texted William to inquire about their travel plans but received no response.
The book suggests that Prince William did not see this as the right moment for a difficult conversation with his brother. The feelings surrounding the Sussex interviews and their claims against the royal family were still raw, leaving little room for dialogue. The sense of betrayal following the Sussexes' interview with Oprah Winfrey, which included vague and unanswerable claims of institutional racism and hostility towards Meghan, continued to linger.
As the Sussexes decided to travel to Balmoral on their own, Harry received another call from Charles, informing him that Meghan should not come. According to Hardman, Buckingham Palace approached conversations with the Sussexes cautiously, aware that any discussion could potentially become public. Charles dreaded the conversation, knowing the Sussexes' capacity for taking offense. Three months later, Harry recounted this conversation in his memoir, expressing his anger and calling his father's decision nonsensical and disrespectful.
Charles explained to Harry that he simply did not want too many people at Balmoral and that Kate was not coming either. Harry responded, "Then that's all you needed to say." A historic memo, kept confidential until now, reveals that the Queen's final moments were peaceful. Sir Edward Young, the Queen's most senior staff member, described her death in a poignant memo now lodged in the royal archives, stating, "Died very peacefully in her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. Death has to be registered in Scotland at 3:10 p.m. She wouldn't have been aware of anything. No pain."
This new book provides a fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes drama and tensions within the royal family during the Queen's final days. It sheds light on the real reasons why Meghan was allegedly asked not to join the family at Balmoral and how the situation was navigated by the new king and his sons. As the nation continues to mourn the loss of its beloved Queen, this book offers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the monarchy during a time of profound grief and transition.
