The stress caused by Harry and Meghan’s falling out with the royal family has had a “detrimental” effect on the Queen’s health in the final months of her life, well-placed sources have told The Mail on Sunday.
The revelation comes days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex renewed their attack on the royals in the final three episodes of their Netflix series.
Now, for the first time, insiders have revealed the true price of the late monarch of the family drama ‘Megxit’.
Leading up to the couple’s move across the Atlantic and in the years that followed, the royal family faced a number of allegations of palace meetings against Meghan and Harry and even racism.
TRUE MAUT: The Queen with Meghan and Harry at Buckingham Palace in 2018
The revelation comes days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex renewed their attack on the royals in the final three episodes of their Netflix series (picture shows Harry on his Netflix series).
Queen Elizabeth waits in the drawing room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience, where she invites her to form a government shortly before her death
The short-lived image of the “Fab Four” – a united front between Prince William and Kate and Prince Harry and Meghan – was shattered as the rift between the brothers grew heated
The short-lived image of the “Fab Four” – a united front between Prince William and Kate and Prince Harry and Meghan – was shattered as the rift between the brothers grew heated.
A well-placed source was aware that Her Majesty’s health was already declining for reasons unrelated to Megxit, but added: “It has really affected the Queen’s health.
“It has had a detrimental effect on her health. Yes, she was older and there were other issues with that, but still, all of Harry and Meghan’s claims certainly contributed to that.
The source added: “I’m just so glad the Queen isn’t there to find out all about this latest programme.
“It’s the polar opposite of duty, unity, and sacrifice – everything she was raised to do and embodied.”
The late Queen’s death certificate states that she died of old age. But those close to the monarch, who died on September 8 aged 96, believe her frequent “mobility issues” were compounded by the added stress of her grandson’s decision to break away from his family and criticize the institution , to whom she dedicated her life, were affected.
It has been almost three years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to step down from their official royal duties.
After releasing a statement on their plans, the fine details of the break were set to be decided during a meeting in January 2020 – at the start of the Queen’s Christmas holidays at her private estate in Sandringham, Norfolk.
In their latest Netflix episodes, released on Thursday, the couple appeared to blame the royal family for deliberately timing the crunch meeting, known as the Sandringham Summit, after Meghan returned to California.
Harry claimed to have been “startled” when his brother “yelled and yelled at him” during the meeting. He also accused his father of “saying things that just weren’t true,” and revealed that his grandmother, the queen, “sat quietly” and “absorbed everything.”
It was previously reported that the late Prince Philip, angry at his grandson, made his feelings clear by apologizing from the meeting.
The Queen, meanwhile, ruled that there could be no half-in, half-out deal. This meant that if the Sussexes wanted to make their fortunes abroad, they would have to give up their official royal roles.
The stress caused by Harry and Meghan’s spat with the royal family had a “detrimental” impact on the Queen’s health in the final months of her life. Pictured: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II attend a ceremony to mark the opening of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes
Harry and Meghan on their Netflix documentaries
For Harry, the additional loss of his military titles is said to have been particularly hurtful.
Now sources have revealed just how badly the fallout has hit the Queen. Contrary to claims in the Harry and Meghan TV series, palace insiders say it was the Queen’s decision not to see her on one of her few visits to the UK.
Harry revealed the Queen said: “I’ve been told I’ll be busy all week.”
The monarch’s health was declining at this point, and sources said the last year of her life was particularly trying.
In October last year, she had a night in the hospital to undergo tests. Nearly a month later, she is said to have been “disappointed” when a back sprain forced her to cancel the annual Memorial Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
In her final weeks, the late Queen missed the Commonwealth Games and the annual Braemar Games in the Highlands, but was determined to meet outgoing and incoming Prime Ministers – Boris Johnson and Liz Truss – on September 6 this year.
The next evening, the monarch postponed her Privy Council meeting after doctors advised her to rest, and palace officials announced the following afternoon that she had died. Even after her death, Harry didn’t seem reunited with the rest of his family.
He did not fly to Scotland on the same plane as his brother and uncles Andrew and Edward and arrived alone at Balmoral Castle later that day. The next morning he left early, ahead of other family members.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.