Queen Elizabeth II reportedly spent her final years trying to guide Prince Harry and Meghan Markle toward staying within the royal fold. According to former royal butler Paul Burrell, those efforts ultimately weren’t enough.
Queen Elizabeth reportedly tried to show Prince Harry and Meghan Markle the ‘right path’
Queen Elizabeth tried to steer Prince Harry and Meghan Markle onto the ‘right path,’ per former royal butler. Speaking to the Daily Express on behalf of Casino, Burrell said, “The Queen tried to steer Meghan and Harry on the right path.” He explained that he’d hoped the couple would stay within the royal family, calling them a “breath of fresh air” at the time.
According to Burrell, the Queen tried to broker a compromise once it became clear Harry and Meghan wanted independence. He said she wanted Harry to remain close to her, but that Meghan wanted a different outcome entirely. Burrell claimed the Queen even tried bending royal rules specifically for Meghan, hoping to keep her protected within the institution rather than outside it.
Burrell recalled the Queen offering Meghan the option to continue her acting career if she chose not to take on full royal duties, something he called unprecedented for a family member. She also reportedly offered Duchess Sophie’s support to help Meghan adjust. Burrell, who served the royal household for 21 years, described the late Queen as a wise woman who tried every available option before the couple ultimately left.
This isn’t the only account describing the late Queen’s efforts to hold the family together. Burrell has separately described the Queen as devastated by Harry and Meghan’s 2020 departure, recalling an unlit birthday candle meant for Princess Lilibet. The Queen also drew firm lines even while trying to accommodate the couple, including turning down their request to live at Windsor Castle.
The renewed attention on the Queen’s efforts comes as criticism of Meghan continues elsewhere. Commentator Lee Cohen recently argued she deserved “permanent exile” from the family, a comment that reportedly factored into speculation about a royal birthday snub.
