According to a new book, the queen is said to have heard that she “thank god Meghan is not coming” to her husband’s funeral.
Sources claimed she was relieved that the Duchess of Sussex, then seven months pregnant, would not be there Prince Philip‘s funeral on April 17 last year.
Biographer Tom Bower’s latest book Revenge: Meghan, Harry And The War Between The Windsors is published in the Times and Sunday Times and features the controversial claims.
A unpack today citing unnamed sources to explain: “‘Thank God Meghan isn’t coming,’ the monarch said in a clear voice to her trusted aides.”
Buckingham Palace, which does not comment on individual books, declined to comment on the story.
However, sources close to the Queen wondered if she would have anything other than Philip on her mind on the day of the funeral.
Last year it was reported that Meghan told friends one of the reasons she didn’t attend was because she “don’t want to be the center of attention.”
A source told Email onlineShe said the Queen understands her absence and would like her to stay safe and sound for the baby.
“Meghan said now is the right time for Henry to mend his relationship with his brother and his father. She doesn’t have to be there for that.’
Bower also claims in his book that the Duke of Sussex and Meghan made a “demand to appear with the Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace” during the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations last month.
The book claims that the Prince of Wales was against this arrangement.
Clarence House also declined to comment on the book.
Bower writes, “It was their (Harry’s and Meghan’s) anger that the palace had rejected all their demands for a prominent role at the anniversary.”
He speculates that, “In Meghan’s view, those optics were unsatisfactory, in part because her value to Netflix was being close to the Queen.”
Harry and Meghan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Previous unauthorized biographies of Mr Bower have included Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, Charles, Tony Blair and Richard Branson.
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