Royal Expert Claims Meghan Markle Had 'Little Plan' to Leave Monarchy Before 2020 Exit
Meghan Markle may have been planning her departure from the British royal family long before the official announcement in 2020, according to a prominent royal expert. Author and historian Hugo Vickers has asserted that the Duchess of Sussex had a "little plan" to exit the monarchy well before she and Prince Harry formally stepped back from their senior roles.
Timing of Departure Surprised Even Those Expecting It
While Meghan's eventual exit was not entirely shocking to observers, the timing of the couple's departure came as a surprise. Vickers, appearing on 'The Royalist' podcast, emphasized that few anticipated the move would occur while Queen Elizabeth II was still alive. "The only thing which surprised me, because I never thought that she would stay forever, was that she did it in the Queen's reign, in the Queen's lifetime. Because I thought that was not going to happen," he stated.
Queen Elizabeth II's Reaction to the Departure
Royal biographer Robert Hardman has provided insight into the late Queen's emotional response to Harry and Meghan's decision. In an interview with The Telegraph, Hardman revealed that Queen Elizabeth II was "enormously upset and terribly sad about a wasted opportunity." He quoted the monarch's perspective: "As far as the Queen was concerned, Harry and Meghan had everything handed to them but wanted to throw it all away." Despite her sadness, Hardman noted that the Queen acted decisively in response to the situation.
How the Queen Attempted to Integrate Meghan into Royal Life
In his book 'Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. In Her Story', Hardman depicted a Queen who made genuine efforts to help Meghan adapt to royal protocols. According to passages obtained by the Daily Mail, the Queen was keen for Meghan to learn the intricacies of royal duties. A source told Hardman, "The Queen was really wanting to give it a go. She was so sweet, she had brought Meghan a present and tried so hard."
Hardman detailed specific gestures, such as the Queen welcoming Meghan on the platform when the train arrived at 11 p.m., sharing breakfast together in the morning, and consistently offering guidance. "She was always trying to do small things, to show her the ropes and bring her in," Hardman wrote, highlighting the monarch's attempts to foster a smooth transition for the Duchess into the royal family's traditions and responsibilities.
