Thu Apr 09 14:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Royal Biographer Claims Harry and Meghan Caused Queen Elizabeth II “Unforgivable” Stress

The Story:

Royal biographer Hugo Vickers, in his new book “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History,” alleges that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caused significant stress to Queen Elizabeth II during the final years of her life. Vickers claims their decision to step back as senior royals in 2020, their subsequent move to California, and their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey put a strain on the late monarch. The book suggests the Queen became cautious in her interactions with Prince Harry, even refusing to take his calls without a witness present.

Key Points:

  • Hugo Vickers claims Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caused “unforgivable” stress for Queen Elizabeth II in her final years.
  • The couple stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California.
  • Their interview with Oprah Winfrey, viewed by nearly 50 million people, aired grievances against the royal family.
  • Vickers alleges the Queen refused to take Harry’s phone calls without a lady-in-waiting present after the interview.
  • The Queen reportedly rejected Harry’s proposal to be “half-in, half-out” as a working royal.
  • Vickers claims the Queen told a friend Harry had “turned into a kind of childminder.”
  • Prince Philip dismissed Meghan as “the American,” and Charles reportedly urged Harry not to marry her.
  • Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” published in 2023, became a bestseller but likely added to the family tensions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their royal duties appears to have had a significant emotional impact on Queen Elizabeth II.
  • The Oprah Winfrey interview was a pivotal event that strained relations between the couple and the royal family.
  • The Queen’s reported caution in her interactions with Prince Harry suggests a breakdown of trust.
  • The conflicting desires of the couple to be financially independent while maintaining royal duties proved irreconcilable with the established royal system.
  • The media scrutiny and public interest surrounding the couple’s actions amplified the stress on the Queen during a period already marked by other significant challenges.

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