The once-close relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her grandson, Prince Harry, deteriorated significantly in the period preceding her death, according to sources familiar with the matter. Insiders indicate that the bond was irreparably damaged following a series of public revelations made by the Duke of Sussex and his wife.
A former senior aide disclosed that the monarch felt a profound sense of betrayal after the couple’s televised interview, in which they leveled serious allegations about their treatment within the royal household. The aide suggested the Queen viewed the public airing of grievances as an attack on the institution she had dedicated her life to serving.
The situation was reportedly compounded by claims that a member of the family had expressed curiosity about the potential skin tone of Harry’s then-unborn son. Sources close to the late monarch indicated she found these allegations particularly distressing, believing they cast unfair suspicion on multiple family members without specific attribution.
This sequence of events allegedly prompted the issuance of the notable “recollections may vary” statement from the palace, signaling a definitive rupture in relations. The fracture was further deepened by disputes over the naming of Harry’s daughter, with conflicting accounts emerging about whether permission had been granted to use the Queen’s childhood nickname.
During this period, the monarch was reportedly contending with significant health challenges, though the specific nature of her illness was never officially confirmed. A family associate noted that the timing of these familial tensions coincided with the Queen’s declining health, making the situation particularly painful.
The estrangement continued until the Queen’s final days, when Harry was notably absent from the family group that traveled to be with her. The Duke subsequently confirmed he had to arrange separate transportation and did not reach her residence before she passed away in September 2022.
Despite the strained relations, both Harry and his wife attended the state funeral, though the preceding years had permanently altered the dynamic between the grandson and his grandmother.
