A new perspective has been given to the tiara row that took place between the royals ahead of Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Meghan Markle and the late Queen Elizabeth II are claimed to have a row in the lead up to Meghan’s wedding.(Image: Max Mumby/Getty Images)
New insight into the Royal Family has emerged with details on a dispute between Meghan Markle and the late Queen Elizabeth II before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding in 2018. While recounts over issues with Meghan’s tiara have circulated for years, a fresh perspective has now been given to the events.
According to royal historian Robert Hardman, the Queen and the soon-to-be princess had reportedly clashed in the lead up to the ceremony over the royal tiara Meghan chose to wear for the nuptials. The Queen was said to have enjoyed lending tiaras to royal brides when it was required.
In an extract of Hardman’s upcoming book Queen Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, which was seen by the Daily Mail, the historian wrote: “Another pre-wedding row, which would continue to create headlines years after the wedding, concerned Meghan’s choice of tiara.
“The Queen much enjoyed offering a piece from her own tiara collection to a royal bride, when required.” Over the years, it has been reported that both Meghan and Harry have fallen in love with Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau at the beginning of the selection process.
While this sparkling tiara has ultimately stood out the couple, in his book Spare, Harry explained they had looked through several options ahead of their wedding to make sure they chose the most fitting piece for their big day, reports the Express.
The Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau carries significant historical importance. Originally created in 1932 for Queen Mary herself, it also features a detachable central brooch gifted to the Queen in 1893 by the County of Lincoln.
Meghan wore Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau for the ceremony.(Image: Aaron Chown/Getty Images)
However, the Duke went on to say attempts to coordinate with the late Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, to make arrangements for Meghan to try on the tiara did not go smoothly.
Boldly writing in the memoir, Harry wrote: “To my mind, Angela was a troublemaker.” He later went on to claim: “I considered going to Granny, but that would probably mean sparking an all-out confrontation, and I wasn’t quite sure with whom Granny would side.”
While Harry’s recollection indicates trouble for the couple, Hardman’s new account of the lead up to the wedding shows a different version of events.
After speaking to insiders at the time, Hardman added: “As one staffer recalled: ‘There was already an atmosphere before Angela arrived. Meghan was nowhere to be seen. Harry poked the box and said ‘Is that it?’ Then he stood over Angela and said he did not like her whining to his grandmother.’”
These issues were then said to have reached a tipping point where even the late monarch had heard about the situation herself.
According to the book’s sources, the Queen was displeased by the series of events and is reported to have told a member of the Royal Household: “It’s not a toy.”
It is also said there were practical challenges taking place at the time. The Queen was based in Windsor for Easter and was occupied by the Royal Windsor Horse Show when these events were said to be taking place.
Additionally, it is said Angela Kelly was carefully verifying the tiara to make sure there was no “awkward backstory” attached to the head piece.
Despite any claims of tension at the time, Meghan went on to wear the tiara when she married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.