In the early days of Meghan Markle‘s entrance into the royal family, all seemed well between her and Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen, welcoming Meghan with open arms, even invited her to a private Christmas gathering, a gesture that defied royal customs.
However, the smiling facade began to crumble when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the monumental decision to step back from their royal duties.
A closer look at the timeline reveals that the initial strain on their relationship can be traced back to an unexpected disagreement over a tiara for Meghan’s wedding.
According to royal correspondent Valentine Low, who details the dynamics of the royal household in his book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, the tensions began to bubble after an awkward encounter regarding the wedding tiara.
Prince Harry reportedly perceived the Queen’s hairdresser, Angela Kelly, as uncooperative when it came to allowing Meghan a dress rehearsal for the tiara.
The situation turned sour, with Harry allegedly using harsh language directed towards Kelly, though it remains unclear if the words were aimed at her directly or simply vented in frustration.
The crux of the issue lay in Meghan not confirming Angela Kelly’s availability for a fitting in advance.
Kelly, following established royal protocols, was left feeling dismissed, which created an underlying tension.
As reported by the Daily Express, Richard Eden, editor of the diary section for the Daily Mail, expressed that Harry’s protective nature towards Meghan led him to feel she deserved greater respect than what was being afforded to her by royal staff.
This disagreement not only foreshadowed complications in their marriage but also set a rocky precedent in their future relationships with the royal family.
Harry later provided his perspective on the tiara fiasco in his memoir, Spare, where he recounted the couple’s desire to explore various tiaras, including ones belonging to Princess Diana.
However, Queen Elizabeth intervened, urging them to pick something from her private collection instead.
When the couple sought to borrow a specific tiara for Meghan’s fittings, they found themselves facing radio silence from Kelly, complicating matters further.
Harry noted in his memoir that it felt like they were being obstructed, emphasizing the lack of understanding of the underlying motives.
In his writings, royal author Robert Lacey added more context, revealing that Meghan’s ideal tiara was an emerald piece.
Unfortunately, it was attached to past controversies, prompting the Queen to deny the request.
The frustration was palpable; Harry reportedly erupted in anger upon learning that Meghan would be unable to wear the emerald tiara.
In the end, the couple settled on Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara, a historical family piece that was graciously lent to Meghan on her big day.
The royal family’s intricate traditions and protocols seemingly contributed to the growing rift.
Although the late Queen had made considerable efforts to embrace Meghan into the royal fold, the tiara incident highlighted the complexities of navigating royal expectations.
By the time Meghan and Harry announced their departure as senior royals in 2020, the strain of these early conflicts had set a disruptive tone that ultimately culminated in their departure.
The discord surrounding the tiara was only a microcosm of the many challenges Meghan would face as she integrated into royal life, and it was just the beginning of the tumultuous relationship that would unfold over the following years.
This poignant clash was a precursor, indicating that not all was as harmonious as many believed within their fairytale romance.
As this saga reveals, the royal family operates within a distinctive framework that can be unforgiving, especially to those unaccustomed to its intricacies.
Meghan’s experience reflects the delicate balance of tradition and modernity that defines the monarchy, illustrating how a single disagreement can have far-reaching implications.
In retrospect, the tiara turmoil seemed to symbolize a larger cultural clash, with Meghan trying to assert her individuality within an institution steeped in tradition.
It’s a stark reminder of the pressures that often come with such high-profile relationships, where every choice is scrutinized and every tradition upheld.
As we reflect on this chapter in royal history, one has to wonder: could better communication have averted the fraying of Meghan and the Queen’s bond?
In a realm where protocol reigns supreme, finding a middle ground may prove challenging, yet essential for fostering connections that can withstand the test of time.
