Is This How Prince Harry Reacted To Queen Elizabeth's Latest Hospital Stay?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stunned fans around the globe when they announced their plans to officially exit their roles as senior members of the royal family in early 2020 (via People). The couple eventually moved to America and settled in California. Since that time, the rift between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of the royals has reportedly grown larger, per ET.
Although Meghan has yet to return to the UK since leaving the firm, Harry has returned on two occasions. In July, Harry and his brother Prince William, came together to unveil a statue in honor of their late mother, Princess Diana (via Reuters). Harry also traveled home in April for the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip, per BBC. Although Harry may be feuding with many members of his family, his relationship with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth is said to still be intact.
"When it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever — they have nothing but love for her," royal author Omid Scobie told GMA over the summer (via Marie Claire). "Of course we saw them name their daughter after the Queen's very nickname, so that really gives us an insight into that close relationship and you know it's great to be able to put that right today," he explained.
Because Harry reportedly remains close with the queen, he was said to be very upset when he learned of his grandmother's recent hospital stay.
Harry reportedly panicked over news of the queen's hospitalization
According to Us Weekly, Prince Harry was extremely upset when he learned that his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, had been admitted to the hospital due to health concerns. The Duke of Sussex was said to go into "panic mode" upon hearing the news. Sources tell the outlet that Harry "felt helpless being 5,000 miles away in Montecito," while Elizabeth spend one night at the hospital before returning home to Windsor Castle to rest. However, the insider claims that Harry "has been checking in" with his beloved grandmother "non-stop" since her hospitalization.
The insider went on to admit that Harry still "feels guilty" about not getting to say goodbye to his grandfather, Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 back in April. "[He] would never forgive himself if the same thing happened with his beloved grandmother," the source stated, adding that Harry is "hoping to go back home for Christmas with Meghan, if not before so that she can finally get to meet [her great granddaughter] Lilibet and see [great grandson] Archie again."
Of course, Harry returning to the UK with Meghan would be huge news. However, royal expert Robert Jobson claims that he's unsure that the duchess would want to return since she's not currently well-liked among many of the citizens. "She's not popular [right] now," Jobson told Us.
Since the holidays are rapidly approaching, fans will surely be keeping an eye out for any hints that the Sussexes are planning a trip to the UK.
Prince Harry really values his relationship with the Queen
Although things have been strained between the royal family for over a year, Prince Harry has been working diligently to keep his grandmother onside. According to Town & Country, the recently-released epilogue to royal tome "Finding Freedom" confirmed the two enjoyed "a very special reunion" in April 2021. It was the first time Harry had seen the Queen in over a year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The royal defector returned to the U.K. to attend his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral but reportedly spending time with the Queen was high on his list of priorities during the trip.
The epilogue notes, "To see each other after so long apart, the longest he hadn't seen the Queen for, was very special." As a source told royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, "Despite everything that has happened, he has the utmost love and respect for her. Her life of duty and service is one of the many ways in which she has inspired him to also serve." Scobie himself confirmed the grandmother and grandson had met privately at least twice during his short sojourn home, in a piece for Harper's Bazaar. Evidently both parties are finding the distance between them very difficult.
Prince Harry publicly defended his grandmother
Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview sent shockwaves through the monarchy, if certain reports are to be believed, the Queen thinks it's time everybody moved on. As Us Weekly reported shortly after Prince Philip's funeral, an insider revealed Harry's father, Prince Charles, was being especially stubborn about the incident. "With the way things are going, Charles may never forgive Harry, which hasn't gone down well with Elizabeth," the source noted. "She feels that he's putting his pride before the best interest of the monarchy. She has enough on her plate dealing with the loss of her husband. It's drama she can do without." The Queen was reportedly impressed with William's stiff upper lipped stance on the matter. He was spotted chatting amiably with his brother at Philip's funeral. Charles, meanwhile, gave Harry the cold shoulder.
A source previously informed Us, "Unfortunately, Harry and Charles didn't resolve their differences when Harry returned to the U.K. They barely communicated." Elsewhere, the Duke of Sussex defended his grandmother, during the Oprah interview, after revealing she'd abruptly cancelled a planned meeting with him shortly after news broke that he was leaving the royal family, per InStyle. Although the host pressed him on why the Queen can't make her own decisions, Harry explained, "When you're head of the firm people around you give you advice. Some of that advice is really bad.