Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 30, 2025 · Entertainment

Behind Closed Doors: How Harry and Meghan's Wedding Plans Upset the Queen

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after their wedding  St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018. A royal expert has written claims that they had upset the Queen

ROYAL RUMBLE: Prince Harry's Relationship with Queen Elizabeth II Takes a Tumble

The British royal family has always been shrouded in mystery, but it seems that even the most esteemed monarchs are not immune to drama and intrigue. The latest juicy tidbit comes from none other than Lady Elizabeth Anson, the Queen's first cousin and party planning extraordinaire. According to her confidante, journalist Sally Bedell Smith, Queen Elizabeth II was "very worried" about her grandson Prince Harry's impending marriage to Meghan Markle in 2018.

It seems that Harry, besotted as he was with his soon-to-be wife, was being a bit of a handful. Lady Elizabeth recalled that the Queen was dismayed by Harry's behavior, saying that he was "rude to her for ten minutes" during one meeting. The Queen was also reportedly upset about Meghan's refusal to reveal what her wedding dress looked like, claiming it was "particularly...the two girls" who didn't get along.

As the big day approached, tensions mounted between Harry and his grandmother. Lady Elizabeth revealed that the Queen felt "left out" of the planning process, with Harry trying to "patch up" their relationship in the weeks leading up to the wedding. The Queen's cousin claimed that Meghan was initially "full of charm" but later became increasingly "bossy," causing worry among those close to the royal family.

The cracks had started showing as early as February 2018, when Lady Elizabeth received a letter from Harry saying the Queen was "content" with the wedding plans. But she knew better, having spoken to Her Majesty herself just days before the big day. The Queen allegedly confided in her cousin that she was not at all content, and that Harry had asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the ceremony without first seeking permission from the Dean of Windsor.

The Queen's concerns were further exacerbated by Meghan's reluctance to reveal what her wedding dress looked like. Lady Elizabeth recalled that the Queen was trying to find out about the dress but Meghan wouldn't tell her, leading to a tense conversation between the two women.

Meghan allegedly became increasingly 'bossy' and Liza said the Queen was privately 'very worried', it has been claimed

As the wedding day approached, it seemed that all was not well in the royal camp. Lady Elizabeth predicted that Meghan could "turn into nothing but trouble," remarking that the actress saw things "in a different way." The Queen's cousin also revealed that Harry's father-in-law, Thomas Markle, was "frightened" of attending the wedding due to health problems.

In the aftermath of the wedding, tensions between Prince William and Kate Middleton seemed to be on the rise. Lady Elizabeth noted that the wedge between the brothers was "really too bad." The Queen, meanwhile, remained concerned about Harry's relationship with Meghan, warning her cousin to "keep an eye on" the situation.

Lady Elizabeth Anson passed away in November 2020, but not before sharing her insider knowledge with journalist Sally Bedell Smith. As a renowned party planner and confidante of the Queen, Lady Elizabeth had access to all sorts of juicy gossip and behind-the-scenes information. Her revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of royal politics and family dynamics.

The Queen was also reportedly concerned about the relationship between Meghan and Harry's brother and sister-in-law

As the story goes, Lady Elizabeth's Party Planners was the go-to firm for organizing high-society bashes, including weddings and parties for royalty, celebrities, and politicians. With her connections to the royal family and years of experience in party planning, she had a front-row seat to all the drama and intrigue that unfolded behind palace doors.

In a nutshell, Lady Elizabeth's insider account reveals a royally dysfunctional situation involving Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Queen Elizabeth II. It seems that even the most esteemed monarchs are not immune to family drama and marital squabbles. As we continue to follow the twists and turns of this royal rom-com, one thing is certain: there will be more tea spilled in the days ahead!

Sources:

Lady Elizabeth Anson, pictured left in red behind the Queen, was not only Elizabeth's cousin, but one of her closest friends, having supported the monarch through the deaths of her mother, the Queen Mother, and sister, Princess Margaret

  • Sally Bedell Smith's Substack article, "Royal Extras"
  • TheScholarlyNote.com (formerly Daily Mail)

Lady Elizabeth Anson, known as Liza, apparently claimed that Harry had to see his grandmother alone to 'patch up' their relationship, it has been claimed

Lady Elizabeth, known as Liza to her friends, died in November 2020 at the age of 79, just shy of two years before Queen Elizabeth passed away in September 2022. Pictured in 1969

A never-heard-before nickname used by Queen Elizabeth's cousin has been revealed. Pictured, Lady Elizabeth Anson