Royal Rift: Queen's Private Dismay Over Meghan and Harry's Wedding Changes
ROYAL WEDDING DRAMA: MEGHAN AND HARRY'S BIG DAY WAS A HOTBED OF CONFLICT AND CONTROVERSY
The highly anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a far cry from the traditional royal nuptials we've grown accustomed to. The couple's big day was marked by several unconventional decisions, including the absence of Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, who was set to walk his daughter down the aisle.
But why did Thomas pull out at the last minute? According to sources close to the family, it all came down to a bitter feud between Meghan and her father. In May 2018, just before the wedding, The Scholarly Note revealed that Meghan had pleaded with her father to attend the ceremony after he reportedly backed out due to the fake photographs scandal.
Meghan was said to be "distraught" after learning that her father had staged a series of photos with a paparazzi photographer in an attempt to garner sympathy and attention. The images showed Thomas being measured for a wedding suit and gazing at newspaper stories about his daughter's upcoming nuptials. It's no wonder Meghan was mortified – but did she have the right to be?
Insiders claim that Meghan had always intended to walk down the aisle alone, and when her father bailed on her, Prince Charles stepped in to fill the gap. In a heartwarming gesture, Harry asked his grandfather to meet Meghan halfway down the aisle, where Charles would then hand over his granddaughter-in-law to Harry.
But not everyone was pleased with this arrangement. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward wrote in her book that Queen Elizabeth II was "not comfortable" with Prince Charles standing in for Meghan's father and was also worried about Prince Philip walking down the aisle without a stick, having recently undergone hip replacement surgery.
Seward claims that Prince Philip even referred to Meghan as "the new Wallis Simpson," a not-so-subtle dig at the American divorcée who sparked scandal when she married King Edward VIII. It's no wonder the Queen was less than thrilled with the whole affair.
Charles, on the other hand, seemed more than happy to step in and support his grandson and granddaughter-in-law. In a documentary, Harry revealed that Charles told him, "Yes, of course, I'll do whatever Meghan needs, and I'm here to support you." But what did Meghan really think about this sudden change in plans?
According to royal expert and biographer Duncan Larcombe, the possibility of Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, walking her daughter down the aisle was discussed but ultimately dismissed. "Doria and Meghan talked it over," Larcombe said, "but she just didn't feel she could go through with it." Meghan allegedly felt that it would be too much to expect her mother to perform such an important role when the entire world was watching.
It's worth noting that Meghan wouldn't have been the first royal to be walked down the aisle by her mother. Queen Victoria famously did just that for her youngest child, Princess Beatrice, in 1885. But Meghan chose a different path – one that would set tongues wagging across the globe.
And it seems that Prince Charles has a history of walking brides down the aisle. Two years before Harry and Meghan's big day, he gave away Princess Diana's goddaughter, Alexandra Knatchbull, at Romsey Abbey. Insiders claim that Charles was asked to take on this role because Alexandra's father, Earl Norton Louis Knatchbull, wasn't well enough to walk her down the aisle.
The Queen, however, was reportedly not pleased with this turn of events – and it seems she had plenty more reasons to be unhappy on Harry and Meghan's wedding day. According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, the late Queen voiced her concerns about the wedding in private, telling friends that Meghan's Givenchy gown was "too white." It's a subtle dig, but one that speaks volumes about the Queen's feelings towards the bride.
But what really got under the Queen's skin? Insiders claim that Harry spoke to his grandmother in a manner that left her feeling "upset" and "worried." Sources close to the Palace reveal that Meghan became increasingly "bossy" as the wedding approached, leaving the Queen feeling like she was being pushed aside.
It's no wonder the Queen felt left out – after all, this was her grandson's big day. And it seems Harry may have blown his relationship with his grandmother once and for all. According to Bedell Smith, the Queen was "upset" at not being fully involved in Harry and Meghan's wedding plans in the months leading up to the ceremony.
Meghan herself has spoken out about the challenges of being a working royal, revealing that she felt like she couldn't be as vocal or authentic as she wanted to be. But what really sparked controversy was her decision to wear clothes that were "not very myself." It's clear that Meghan was trying to balance her desire for individuality with the constraints of royal protocol – but did she succeed?
In a recent interview, Meghan revealed that she and her father have not spoken since their relationship fractured around May 2018. It's a tragic tale of a family torn apart by controversy and scandal – one that may never be fully mended.
As for Thomas Markle, it seems he still hasn't met his son-in-law or grandchildren. Insiders claim that Meghan is holding out hope that the two can one day reconcile – but until then, it's clear that their relationship will remain a complicated and contentious one.
In the end, Harry and Meghan's wedding was a complex mix of tradition and innovation – with plenty of drama and controversy thrown in for good measure. But as we look back on this highly anticipated event, one thing is clear: the Royal Family has never been more divided than it is today.
