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Fights with Prince William continued in the weeks leading up to Harry’s wedding, the Duke of Sussex claims in his memoirs.
They even clashed over whether he could keep his beard.
Discussions about the venue and date also became a matter of concern at the Palace.
Harry suggests that he and Meghan even wanted to elope for a “barefoot Botswana” ceremony, adding: “We wanted to get married quickly.” But the Palace seemed unable to pick a date. Or a place.
In his book Spare, Harry said: ‘We wanted to get married quickly. But the Palace seemed unable to pick a date. Or a place’
After returning from an “engagement tour”, for which Meghan and Harry traveled to all four home nations, she says she discussed the plans with her brother William.
Harry told William that he and Meghan were thinking about one of the greatest places in London.
Describing the exchange, he writes: “I told him we were thinking of Westminster Abbey.”
‘Not good. we did it there.
‘Well well. Saint Paul?’
Too great. Also, mom and dad did it there.
‘Hmm. Yes. Good point. Tetbury suggested. I snorted. Tetbury? The chapel near Highgrove? Seriously Willie? How many seats does that place have?
The Prince and Princess of Wales were married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.
The Prince of Wales was alleged to have said St Paul’s was “too grand” to host Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Isn’t that what you said you wanted, a small, quiet wedding?
Harry claims that what he and Meghan really wanted was to escape Britain altogether, adding: “We actually wanted to elope.” Barefoot in Botswana, perhaps with a friend officiating, that was our dream. But we were expected to share this moment with other people. It was not up to us.
Palace insiders, however, have dismissed the claims, saying decisions about the wedding, including which family members to invite, were up to the couple.
In his book, Harry goes on to say, “They finally accepted our location request: St George’s Chapel.”
When a date was set for May 19, 2018, there was another hurdle for the groom.
“After all the stress of asking Granny for permission to marry Meg, I thought I would never have the courage to ask her for anything more.
‘And yet, now I dared to ask another question: Grandma, please, can I, for my wedding, keep my beard?
When Harry said that his grandmother had already given him permission to keep his facial hair for the event, William “became furious”, it was claimed.
It’s not a small question either. Some thought a beard was a clear violation of longstanding etiquette and norms, especially since I was getting married in my army uniform. Beards were prohibited in the British Army.
In the memoir, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author JR Moehringer, Harry philosophizes on whether his beard was ‘Freudian: beard as security blanket’ or ‘Jungian: beard as mask’.
Regardless, he says the beard made him feel “calmer” and the Queen understood that.
‘Yes, she said, you can keep your beard. But then I explained it to my brother and he… bristled?
‘It’s not done, he said. military regulations, etc.
Harry said he gave his older brother “a quick history lesson” with the help of Google, showing William images of royal ancestors who had beards and were in uniform, such as Edward VII and George V.
Harry adds that William “wouldn’t let it go” and that the discussion about facial hair continued “in person, on the phone, for over a week”.
When Harry said that his grandmother had already given him permission to keep his facial hair, William “became furious.”
Harry reports that his brother said: ‘You put her in an awkward position, Harold! She had no choice but to say yes.
Harry adds that William “wouldn’t let it go” and that the discussion continued “in person, on the phone, for over a week”.
It culminated, according to Harry, when William ordered him to shave off his beard.
Harry says he replied: ‘For God’s sake, Willy, why do you care so much about this?’
‘Because they wouldn’t let me grow the beard.’
Harry concludes: ‘Ah, there it was. After returning from an assignment with the Special Forces, Willy sported a bushy beard and someone told him if he was a good boy, he would run out and shave it off. He hated the idea of me enjoying a benefit that had been denied him.
Kensington Palace declined to comment.