Newly shared accounts from within the late Queen Elizabeth II’s inner circle have shed light on her apprehensions regarding Meghan Markle’s relationships with senior members of the royal family prior to her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry.
According to a royal author, the monarch’s late cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, disclosed in private conversations that the Queen was troubled by the dynamic between the Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales, then known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Queen reportedly expressed that the relationships were “not working well,” with particular concern noted between the two women.
The insider further suggested there were doubts about the suitability of the match from certain quarters, with commentary on the perceived differences in temperament and strength of character between the couple.
These private misgivings reportedly existed alongside visible, though often downplayed, tensions within the so-called “Fab Four.” The group’s first joint public appearance at a forum just months before the wedding was marked by an acknowledged awkwardness. When questioned about disagreements between the couples, Prince William confirmed their existence with a laugh, while Prince Harry characterized them as “healthy.” William, however, added a note of uncertainty about whether such issues were resolved.
The revelations indicate the Queen harbored deeper concerns beyond simple personality clashes. She was reportedly anxious about the broader impact on the monarchy and questioned the motivations behind the union, with one source quoted as hoping, but not fully believing, the relationship was founded on love.
The period leading up to the wedding was also punctuated by private friction, as later recounted in a memoir. It described an early meeting where an informal greeting was met with discomfort, and a later incident where a well-intentioned remark about postpartum fatigue was received poorly, escalating into a heated exchange involving Prince William.
These disclosures offer a glimpse into the complex familial challenges that surfaced as a new member joined the royal fold, tensions that would ultimately precede the couple’s decision to step back from their official duties two years later.
