Queen Elizabeth II's Concerns About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Marriage Revealed

Reports indicate that Queen Elizabeth II harbored reservations regarding Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle. Sally Bedell Smith, drawing on conversations with the late Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of the former monarch, stated that the Queen expressed concerns about the 2018 wedding. These concerns reportedly stemmed from questions within the royal family about Meghan's motives and the relatively short time the couple had known each other before the wedding.

Lady Elizabeth Anson, a close confidante of Queen Elizabeth II, often spoke with the monarch. According to Bedell-Smith's account, Lady Elizabeth recalled the Queen's general apprehension about the wedding. The speed at which the relationship progressed, with the wedding occurring less than two years after the couple's initial meeting, was a significant factor in these concerns.

Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, commented on Bedell-Smith's claims, stating that Lady Elizabeth Anson was a well-informed source. Bond suggested that the reports indicate the Queen believed Harry was rushing into the marriage. The proposal itself occurred less than two years after Harry and Meghan met, taking place at Nottingham Cottage on the Kensington Palace estate. In their engagement interview, Meghan described the proposal as "sweet, natural and very romantic."

The proposal reportedly included a picnic blanket and electric candles in the garden. In his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry revealed that he sought his grandmother's permission to marry Meghan. The wedding ultimately took place in May 2018. The couple spent less than two years as working royals before stepping down from their duties and relocating to Montecito, California, in 2020.