When a global audience saw the news reports of Queen Elizabeth II’s ailing health on September 8 last year, it seemed that there was even more tension behind the scenes.
While Her Majesty’s absence from a number of recent public appearances, including a number of events during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year, had suggested she was unwell, the extent of her ill-health became increasingly apparent as news bulletins shared updates that afternoon. .
The late monarch was in Balmoral, and as the day passed, close relatives moved to Scotland. Meghan Markle wasn’t there, though, while Charles reportedly told Harry he didn’t want his son’s wife to come to Scotland.
Charles, the then Prince of Wales, would be at his mother’s bedside, just like Princess Anne. It is widely believed that these very two, the Queen’s two eldest children, were by her side at the time of her death.
Her two youngest children Princes Andrew and Edward arrived as soon as possible accompanied by her grandson Prince William behind the wheel of their car which arrived at the gates of Balmoral at 5:06pm.
This photo of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral was taken two days before her death. It shows the royal awaiting the reception of then-newly elected leader of the Conservative Party Liz Truss
Prince Edward was accompanied by his wife Sophie, who was reportedly considered a second daughter by the Queen, with the couple sharing a very close bond.
The group had flown from RAF Northolt and landed at Aberdeen Airport at 3:50 pm
This was about two hours after the late monarch’s death at 3:10 p.m., and nearly an hour and a half before the news was made public.
Notably, Prince Harry did not travel to Scotland with his brother or uncles, or other relatives.
Coincidentally, the Duke was in Britain with his wife, where he made a number of appointments, including an appearance at the One Young World Summit in Manchester.
It is believed that the couple declined an invitation to see the Queen during their trip.
Despite being in Britain, Harry traveled alone to Balmoral.
This is despite a statement released via Twitter (now X) by the small group of media outlets the Sussexes deal with.
Prince William traveled to Balmoral with Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, then known as the Countess of Wessex (all pictured)
The statement, released at 1.53pm, read: “From a spokesperson: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to Scotland.”
However, Meghan ultimately did not accompany Harry, who wrote about the episode in his memoir Spare.
According to the book, after the Sussexes told their team to confirm that they would cancel their pre-arranged appointments (soon to include the WellChild Awards) to travel to Scotland, Harry received a call from his father.
According to Spare, ‘He (Charles) said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didn’t want… her. He started to explain his reason, which was nonsensical and disrespectful, and I didn’t feel like it. Never talk about my wife that way.
He stammered apologetically and said he just didn’t want many people around. No other women were coming, Kate wasn’t coming, he said, and that’s why Meg wasn’t allowed. Then that was all you had to say.
Days after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the two couples got together for a walk around Windsor (Photo L-R: Kate, The Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex)
‘It was now mid-afternoon; no more commercial flights to Aberdeen that day. And I still had no response from Willy. My only option was therefore a charter from Luton. Two hours later I was on board.’
Since then, royal expert Robert Jobson, speaking to the Daily Telegraph Australia, has claimed that Charles asked William not to take Kate to Balmoral so that Meghan couldn’t come.
He explained, “If Catherine can’t come, Meghan can’t either. It is not appropriate for women to be present.’
Harry insisted that Meghan travel with him to Scotland as the Queen’s life faded away, but the King said it was only for the children and grandchildren to be with the Queen.
Prince Harry wrote in his memoir Spare (pictured) about the row over Meghan not coming to Balmoral when Queen Elizabeth lay dying.
“Privately he wanted to say Meghan wasn’t welcome, but he couldn’t tell Harry, so he personally stepped in and asked Kate to stay behind so it was fairer for Meghan.”
Harry took a charter from Luton and finally arrived at Balmoral at 7:52 pm, about an hour and a half after Queen Elizabeth II’s death was announced by Buckingham Palace.
Just over twelve hours later, at 8:28 am the next morning, Harry was driven from the castle.
Prince Harry was seen with his wife on Sept. 10, along with Prince William and his wife Kate, as the couples took a walk together among the crowds near Windsor Castle.
He and Meghan then stayed in Britain until the Queen’s funeral in London on September 19, leaving for the US the next day.