Queen is 'proud' of Prince Harry says Ingrid Seward

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Queen was the only senior royal to emerge relatively unscathed from the Sussexes’ tell-all interview with Oprah last month. However, as the head of the monarchy, their criticisms of the Firm itself undoubtedly reflected back on her. The monarch also endured further backlash over her delayed response to the serious allegations from the couple.

The interview was first aired on March 7 in the US, while ITV broadcast it the following day in the UK, but Buckingham Palace did not release their response until March 9.

The 61-word statement acknowledged the issues raised were “concerning” while alleging that “recollections may vary” and noting the problems would be “addressed by the family privately”.

This prompted outrage from Sussex fans, who accused the monarchy of downplaying the issues raised — but cogs were turning behind Palace walls, according to commentators.

Royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah claimed: “In moments of constitutional crisis, there exists a ‘golden triangle’ of politically astute advisers who go into action to ensure the monarchy and the Government are on the same page.

“They are currently the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young; Simon Case, the cabinet secretary; and Boris Johnson’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds.

“Links are particularly close at present because Case used to work in Kensington Palace as Prince William’s private secretary.”

David Porter, the chief of staff at Lambeth Palace was also involved in the discussions, after Meghan claimed that the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had staged a secret wedding three days before their highly publicised nuptials in Windsor back in 2018.

The couple’s marriage certificate has since resurfaced and proven Meghan’s claim to be inaccurate.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has also spoken out to confirm that the legal wedding took place on May 19, 2018, during the televised ceremony at St George’s Chapel.

However, in her report for The Sunday Times, Ms Nikkah said that the “golden triangle” of advisers had actually settled on a “dead bat strategy” for tackling the crisis.

She said this was “minimising their response so as not to fuel the furore” — as seen in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s refusal to make any comment on the matter shortly after the interview aired.

Prince Charles also ignored questions about it during a royal engagement as the interview was making headlines around the world.

Only Prince William has broken rank just once in the three weeks since the tell-all hit the small screen.

He briefly addressed concerns over how the Palace handles racism, and confirmed that he was planning on speaking to his brother.

A source told Ms Nikkhah: “They wanted to dead-bat it until it falls off the agenda.”

This would have helped the Palace deal with its deepening rift with the Sussexes behind closed doors.

However, shortly after Ms Nikkhah’s report was published, broadcaster and friend of the Sussexes’ Gayle King, revealed a key development in the relations between the royal rebels and the Palace.

DON’T MISS
Meghan biographer claims Palace aide silenced him over Kate rift [INSIGHT]
Prince Harry claimed ‘I’m not going to whinge’ before Oprah tell-all [EXPLAINED]
Prince William ‘predicted trouble ahead’ between Harry and Meghan [EXPOSED]

She said: “I’m not trying to break news, but I did actually call them to see how they were feeling and it’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too.

“The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive but they are glad that they have at least started a conversation.”

The broadcaster added that “no one in the Royal Family has talked to Meghan yet”, and that the couple are still “upset”.

As the Daily Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers claimed, this is likely to make the royals “wary” of future discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in case their conversations are leaked again to US talk show hosts.

Although the Queen is not expected to be leading any reconciliation efforts between Harry and William, it’s thought she will be looking into the issues the couple raised.

A source told The Sun that the monarch “is not angry” but “sad” over the fallout.

They claimed: “They have always worried about him [Harry] and the Queen feels very protective about him.”

The Duke of Sussex confirmed that his relationship with his grandmother is better than ever during the interview, while Meghan described her as “wonderful” — but the long-term ramifications of the couple’s allegations remain to be seen.

Source: Read Full Article