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ROYAL FAMILY

How Queen Elizabeth II tried to keep Harry and Meghan close

It seems the late monarch, Prince Harry’s grandmother, tried by all means to get the Duchess of Sussex to adapt to her new life within the Royal Family.

La reina Isabel II y los duques de Sussex
DPA vía Europa Press

If we give heed to the words of Paul Burrell, former butler of Princess Diana, the narrative of the British royal family mistreating the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seems to be quite far from reality. In fact, according to statements made by the former employee of Lady Di to the Mirror US, the late monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, had done everything in her power to ensure that the couple was happy as members of the institution, commonly known as The Firm.

The efforts made by the monarch are said to have included an unprecedented offer to Meghan Markle. In one of their conversations, the Queen, aware that Meghan’s presence could be beneficial to the Crown due to her charitable work before meeting her grandson, suggested that Meghan could continue her career as an actress, something Meghan declined.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVASAFP

Royal goodwill “wasted” by Meghan and Harry

“The Queen was very gracious and very kind to Meghan,” stated Burrell. “She even said to Meghan, ‘You can continue acting if you like, continue your career.’”

However, Meghan chose to set aside her profession to focus on her role as a member of the royal family and expressed, “I don’t see it as giving anything up; I just see it as a change.

“It’s a new chapter,” Meghan continued. “And also keep in mind I [have] been working on my show for seven years. So we’re very, very fortunate to be able to have that sort of longevity on a series and for me, once we hit the 100-episode marker, I thought, ‘You know what, I have ticked this box, and I feel really proud of the work I’ve done there.’” She felt it was time to “work as a team” with her husband.

The late Queen with Harry and Meghan.
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The late Queen with Harry and Meghan.JOHN STILLWELLAFP

Burrell says he cannot believe that the couple didn’t not make more of the offer.

“It’s mind-boggling the amount of goodwill which Meghan and Harry have thrown away. I think that’s why it came as a particular blow to the Queen when Harry left the Royal Family because she didn’t want him to. She wanted him to stay, and she tried her hardest to persuade them to stay.”