Queen Elizabeth II’s Final Years Marred by Unforgivable Pain from Harry and Meghan’s Royal Exit

In a heartbreaking revelation, the final years of Queen Elizabeth II were reportedly overshadowed by deep sorrow caused by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's dramatic exit from royal duties. Experts and close confidantes of the late monarch have painted a picture of a queen grappling with personal pain amid a historic reign, a pain described as unforgivable by some in royal circles.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich has claimed that the queen was profoundly disheartened even before the couple’s 2018 wedding, with tensions only escalating as Harry and Meghan chose to step back from their roles in 2020. This departure, often dubbed 'Megxit,' is said to have marked one of the darkest family crises of her reign. Fordwich emphasized that the hurt inflicted during the queen’s waning years has left an indelible mark on both the royal family and the nation.

Insights from Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, based on conversations with Lady Elizabeth Anson, a close cousin of the queen, reveal the depth of the monarch’s disappointment. Anson, who passed away in 2020, shared that the queen felt her once-close bond with Harry would never recover. The decision to leave the U.K. for California, coupled with the couple’s minimal contact—such as rare glimpses of their son Archie via Zoom—added to her sense of loss.

Further compounding the rift were reported disagreements during the wedding planning, including the queen’s alleged surprise at Meghan wearing white as a divorcée and disputes over protocol. Insiders suggest that while the queen made numerous concessions, she was taken aback by the couple’s insistence on doing things their way, often breaking with tradition.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted that the Sussexes’ public criticisms of the monarchy, while carefully avoiding direct attacks on the queen herself, still struck a blow to the institution she dedicated her life to. Yet, her dignified response—'some recollections may vary'—remains a poignant reminder of her grace under pressure.

As Harry recently expressed a longing for reconciliation with his family, the lingering question remains: can the wounds of the past be healed, or has too much been broken? For a queen who served with unwavering duty, the personal toll of this family fracture seems to be a chapter that will never fully close.