Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's ultimatum came at the worst time for the Queen
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry's decision to step down as senior royals came at the worst time for the Queen and threatened to overwhelm the head of the monarchy.
Meghan Markle and Harry: Queen ‘had to intervene’ says Quinn
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry initially surprised the Queen with their decision to step down from working as senior royals, royal commentator Wesley Kerr claimed. Channel 5's latest royal documentary, The Queen: Duty Before Family?, highlighted the difficulties that the Queen was faced with after the royal couple's announcement. The documentary narrator noted that the Queen was not going to be forced into doing something she did not feel was right.
He said: "The Queen clearly adores Harry but absolutely refused to be pressurised by him.
"There was no way she would accept his conditions.
"She issued a firm reply setting out her own position.
"Prince Harry's announcement put his grandmother in a difficult position and his timing could not have been worse."
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Mr Kerr added: "The palace let it be known that there was surprise this statement had been issued.
"I think the Queen was almost surprised to be given a public ultimatum.
"Surprised at Meghan and Harry's statement that these are the terms, that we are going to be different sorts of royals, that we are going to collaborate with the Queen, perhaps on our own terms."
Royal expert Julia Montagu said: "All of a sudden the Queen shocked the world.
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"She came out and said hold on a minute, this is complicated, nothing has been decided and we need time to figure it out."
Mr Kerr noted the difficulties the Queen had been facing at the time and how Meghan and Harry's announcement only added to her problems.
Mr Kerr said: "The Queen had recently gone through the issue with Prince Andrew.
"The Duke of Edinborough had been extremely ill in hospital just before Christmas.
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"So I think for the 93-year-old Queen this came at a very difficult time."
Royal author Tom Quinn agreed and closed by saying: "The Queen would have been aware that this was a storm.
"She would have known that if this wasn't dealt with quickly this could turn into something really damaging.
"The Queen, with so many years of experience, realised she had to intervene."