While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018 was hailed as a breath of fresh air to bring the monarchy into the modern age, it didn't bring some traditionalist tension behind the palace walls. According to recently disclosed reports, Queen Elizabeth II was uncomfortable with certain activities that took place on her grandson's big day, especially the role played by Prince Charles at the time.
Fans fondly remember that one of the most touching moments at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was Prince Charles gracefully walking down the hallways of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to accompany the bride.
With Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, unable to attend due to health issues, Prince Harry wants someone special to see off the Duchess of Sussex. Sources close to the couple said Prince Harry personally approached his father to ask if he would like to be replaced, and Charles readily agreed to support the happy couple in any way.
But according to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the queen was not happy with Charles taking on such an important parental role. Seward revealed: "She believes that the focus of a wedding should be on the bride and groom, rather than on the complex family dynamics. ”
There is no doubt that Her Majesty thinks it is inappropriate for Prince Harry's father to steal the limelight from Thomas Markle, and because of the unconventional arrangement, he will steal the attention of others, even if the situation is not within everyone's control. The queen has long followed tradition that weddings should celebrate the union of two families, rather than one family swallowing up the other.
Obviously, her discomfort wasn't just Charles' starring role in that moment. Seward said the 96-year-old queen also "mocked" her husband, Prince Philip, for not walking the red carpet with his usual cane, even though he had just had a hip replacement five weeks earlier.
The determined Duke of Edinburgh never made a fuss or show weakness, and on this special occasion he insisted on maintaining his usual uprightness. But his dutiful wife suspects that he is overworked and wants him to rest well. After nearly 73 years of marriage, Elizabeth knew Philip better than anyone else and was also worried about his health and dignity.
These revelations show how conservative the Queen's views are when it comes to strict royal etiquette, and even young royals break boundaries. Charles was a modernisation promoter, he just made a generous and caring father, and Her Majesty seemed to feel that he had crossed the line.
Of course, it never occurred to her to publicly criticize any part of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's "good day", and she congratulated them in an official statement. But it's clear that the monarch, who is in his 90s, privately leans towards keeping royal traditions alive rather than changing the rules, whatever the case may be.
Fortunately, this tension does not seem to have caused any long-term discomfort within the family. After all, for decades, the queen has maintained a dignified public image while quelling the controversy.
Prince Harry and Charles acted that day out of deep love and concern for the bride, rather than deliberately disobeying royal rules. Eventually, the wedding went well, with Meghan radiant as she said "I do" and the crowd cheered on the church steps for the newlyweds' kiss.
In the years since, the Queen's relationship with her grandson and his bubbly wife also seems to have grown stronger as they welcomed two prized great-grandchildren. Her Majesty worked hard to integrate Meghan into the company and adjust the tradition to make her feel more supported as a non-royal bride.
While the Queen certainly doesn't go against centuries-old traditions, she has also proven herself to be a leader who can keep up with the times when the monarchy's modernity entails it. Her ability to recognize the changing times while maintaining the noble core of the royal family is part of the reason the royal family has thrived through decades of turmoil.
While there have been some twists and turns on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's fairytale path to a happy marriage, the Windsor royal family remains as strong as ever. With young couples like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Prince William and Kate Middleton, the royal family is ready for decisions that will test tradition in the future – as long as those decisions are made with care, compassion and respect, as are those important weddings.
Publish a collection of dragon cards to share millions of cash