Long before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from royal duties in January 2020, tensions had already begun to simmer beneath the palace surface. Though the public believed the royal rift emerged only after their dramatic exit, whispers within the walls of Buckingham Palace say otherwise. Even before the former Suits actress officially joined the monarchy in 2018, unease had already taken root. Behind the dazzling wedding, the late Queen's choices reportedly left the Duke quietly displeased. 

Tension surged between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry ahead of his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle, revealing early signs of a royal rift long before their dramatic departure.

Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, the late Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin and favored party planner, revealed unsettling details about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding. According to Sally Bedell Smith, Lady Elizabeth claimed the Duchess rejected her help, preferring a different planner. When the Duke wrote saying the Queen was content, Lady Elizabeth said Her Majesty privately disagreed and felt “really upset," as per the Daily Mail. She added that “Meghan could turn into nothing but trouble,” and that Prince Harry was “rude to her for ten minutes” during the disagreement.

Lady Elizabeth Shakerley later revealed that tensions only escalated in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, who affectionately referred to Her Majesty as “Jemima,” shared that Meghan Markle refused to disclose details about her wedding dress during tea with the monarch. The late Queen, she said, appeared increasingly uneasy, admitting she was unsure whether she even liked the former Suits star. Despite the doubts expressed within the royal circle back then, the Duchess has recently voiced firm confidence that her marriage to Prince Harry is built to last a lifetime.

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Nearly nine years on, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear stronger than ever, defying critics, royal drama, and public scrutiny with a bond that only seems to grow deeper with time.

During her first podcast appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Meghan Markle spoke candidly about her enduring relationship with Prince Harry. When asked if she believed their marriage would last forever, the Duchess of Sussex confidently replied, “Yes,” adding warmly, “My husband’s very, very handsome. But his heart is even more beautiful.” Meghan Markle expressed how deeply they love one another, praising the Duke for his unwavering support. She reflected on their life together, cherishing Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as blessings on their beautiful journey.

Meghan Markle compared Prince Harry to a hero on a quest, one who would do anything to protect and uplift his family while still making time for date nights. She reflected on how their relationship began under intense pressure just months into dating. Now, their love feels newly awakened, a spark evident in their Valentine’s Day post. And yet, just as the late Queen Elizabeth once quietly worried, the thread of royal tension has lingered from the beginning until now.

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What do you think about the revelations made by Lady Elizabeth Shakerley about Prince Harry’s heart? Let us know in the comments below.