Queen feared Prince Harry was ‘perhaps a little over-in-love’ with Meghan Markle

The remarkable way the Queen welcomed Meghan into the royal family – despite her concerns that Prince Harry was “maybe a little too in love” with his new partner – is revealed today in an authoritative new biography.

Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, a trusted confidante of the senior Royals, has revealed in unprecedented detail how the Queen was genuinely pleased with the choice of her beloved grandson and had high hopes for the contribution she could make to public life.

But if her hearty generosity to her future granddaughter made the Sussexes’ later decision to turn their backs on the UK and their royal duties even more painful, Her Majesty did not show it. The ever-pragmatic monarch was even upbeat about the great interview the couple gave to Oprah Winfrey, expressing more concern for Harry’s well-being than what she dismissed as “this television nonsense.”

The extraordinarily well-researched insight comes from an extract from Mr Brandreth’s fascinating new book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, published today exclusively in The Mail on Sunday.

It follows revelations in the Daily Mail yesterday that the Queen found solace in watching Line Of Duty after Prince Philip’s death and grudgingly accepted that she would have to reduce her punishment schedule as she became increasingly vulnerable in her later months .

In today’s captivating extract, the former Conservative MP reveals:

• The Queen was “devoted” to Harry and thought he was “huge fun” but feared he was “maybe a little too in love” with Meghan;
• She loved Meghan and did “everything to make her feel welcome”;
• The Queen told Meghan she could continue her career, saying, “You can continue to be an actress if you want – after all, that’s your profession”;
• When Meghan said she would retire from acting to devote herself to royal service, the Queen was ‘delighted’ – but worried when her offer to let Sophie Wessex ‘show her the ropes’ was rejected;
• The Queen loved Meghan’s mother Doria and was sad that the Markle family was ‘broken’;
• While other members of the royal family found the Sussexes’ decision to call their daughter Lilibet – the Queen’s childhood nickname – “baffling” and “rather presumptuous”, the Queen commented that it was “very pretty and just right.” seems’;
• When Harry and Meghan are mentioned to other members of the royal family, the response is a curt smile and the curtly sincere platitude, “We wish them all the best”;
• When Prince Andrew “complained” about Meghan and Harry’s revealing interview with Ms Winfrey in 2020, the Queen gently reminded him of a similar interview his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson had given to the same talk show host;
• Prince Philip thought the Sussexes’ interview was “madness”, but the Queen was relaxed and dismissed it – and an upcoming Netflix documentary – as “this television rubbish”;
• The story of the Queen shedding tears at the dismantling of the royal yacht Britannia in 1997 is a myth, as Prince Philip told Mr Brandreth it was simply due to a cold wind that day that made everyone’s eyes water;
• When Zara Tindall told her grandmother she named her daughter Lena instead of Elena because she didn’t want her child’s initials to be ET, the Queen replied, not appreciating the reference to the 1982 film about an alien : ‘You have lost me.’

The insightful book is the result of a connection between Mr Brandreth and the Royal Family, dating back to the 1970s when he met Prince Philip at a charity event.

The Queen feared Prince Harry was ‘perhaps a little too in love’ with Meghan Markle (pictured with the Queen), an authoritative new biography has revealed today

The Queen was even upbeat about the great interview Harry and Meghan (pictured) gave to Oprah Winfrey, expressing more concern for Harry’s well-being than what she dismissed as ‘this television nonsense’

The extraordinarily well-researched insight comes from an extract from Mr Brandreth’s fascinating new book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, published today exclusively in The Mail on Sunday. Pictured: The Queen speaks with Prince Harry in 2019

The new book reveals Prince Philip’s belief that Harry and Meghan were wrong to give up royal duty for their new life in California. Pictured: The Queen and Prince Philip in 2017

The pair instantly hit it off, enjoying each other’s quick wit. The broadcaster continued to work with the Royals and launched a poetry podcast with the Queen Consort earlier this year.

Brandreth’s unique access, penchant for his subjects and talent for sparkling, lively prose have earned him praise for presenting the “human truth” behind the Royals’ public image in a refreshingly compelling way.

In the new book, he reveals Prince Philip’s belief that Harry and Meghan weren’t doing the right thing by giving up their royal duty for their new life in California, with the Duke confiding: “It’s a big mistake to think about yourself… .If you think it’s all about you, you’ll never be happy.’

Mr. Brandreth believes that King Charles’ opinion of his son and daughter-in-law may be closer to Philip’s than the Queen’s more forgiving approach.

The author concludes: ‘As we get to the coronation of Charles III, the issue of ‘Harry and Meghan’… will be inevitable. And very regrettable from the point of view of the new king.’