In his forthcoming book, *Elizabeth II*, author Robert Hardman sheds new light on the tense moments surrounding the selection of the tiara worn by Meghan Markle during her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. As the couple celebrates the eighth anniversary of their marriage, previously undisclosed details regarding Meghan’s experience with the royal family have come to public attention.
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The wedding held at St. George’s Chapel saw Meghan donning the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau, a striking piece crafted in 1932, which features a detachable brooch adorned with ten historic diamonds dating back to 1893. Hardman’s narrative indicates that Prince Harry’s attendance during the tiara selection—initially a private invitation extended to Meghan by Queen Elizabeth—was unexpected and might have altered the dynamic of the occasion.
The complexity of the tiara selection process is highlighted through insights from former royal aides, who noted that unlike previous brides, Meghan’s experience was marked by the presence of Prince Harry. One aide described the Queen’s typical approach as a way to create a bond, but observed that this time the atmosphere was different due to Harry’s involvement. The author describes this moment as potentially complicating the relationship between Meghan and the royal family, suggesting a lack of the warmth historically shared with previous royal brides.
In his memoir, *Spare*, Harry recounted that Meghan was initially slated to wear the Spencer tiara—the iconic piece traditionally associated with his mother, the late Princess Diana. However, the Queen made an offer that would present Meghan with a selection from her own collection. Harry claims that during this visit, the Queen encouraged Meghan to practise with her hairdresser ahead of the wedding, highlighting her thoughtful guidance.
Despite this gesture, challenges soon arose, largely attributed to Angela Kelly, the Queen’s long-serving aide. In *Spare*, Harry describes a period of frustration where he felt blocked from proceeding with arrangements to borrow the tiara. Tensions escalated when Kelly indicated that the tiara could not leave the palace without a police escort. When Harry attempted to make arrangements, he was met with a sudden refusal, leaving him feeling that the denial of access was both confusing and unreasonable.
As the situation unfolded, Harry contemplated escalating the matter directly to the Queen but ultimately held back, concerned about causing an adversarial situation. He described a growing frustration with Kelly, whom he characterised as an impediment in an already stressful lead-up to their wedding day.
Hardman notes that when the Queen became aware of the tiara’s controversy, she appeared to side with her aide. Insiders conveyed to Hardman that the Queen was “not pleased” with Harry’s attempts to arrange for the tiara’s removal from the palace. During this time, she reportedly expressed scepticism about why Meghan could not simply opt for a replica tiara, akin to the one previously worn by Kate Middleton.
Two primary reasons were cited for the reluctance to permit the tiara to leave the palace. The first was the ongoing Easter Court, which was functioning at that time, and the second related to uncertainty regarding the tiara’s history, which palace staff wanted to clarify before it was worn in public.
In the days leading up to the wedding, Kelly eventually delivered the tiara to Kensington Palace, bringing with her the necessary release paperwork. Harry documented this encounter with Kelly in his memoir, revealing a heated exchange where he felt the delivery of the tiara came amid palpable frustrations.
Witness accounts suggest that Meghan was not present during the delivery, leaving Harry to confront Kelly alone. It was reported that tensions flared during this communication, with Harry expressing dissatisfaction with Kelly’s tone. Despite the stress of the preparations, other staffers defended Kelly, emphasising her commitment to safeguarding the intricate history surrounding royal artefacts.
These revelations brought forth by Hardman contribute to the ongoing narrative of Meghan and Harry’s integration into royal life. As *Elizabeth II* is set to be published on 9 April in the UK, it promises to offer a deeper exploration of the complexities lodged within royal traditions and the relationships at play during one of the most scrutinised events in modern history. The interactions between the Sussexes and the institution continue to intrigue royal observers, shedding light on the often concealed strains underpinning royal obligations.