King Charles Prevented Meghan Markle From Seeing Queen Since Kate Middleton Chose To Stay Back: New Book
King Charles allegedly stopped Meghan Markle from joining Prince Harry in flying to Balmoral to see Queen Elizabeth on her deathbed because her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, chose not to come, according to a new book.
Royal biographer Omid Scobie, co-author of "Finding Freedom," claimed in his new publication "Endgame" that Prince Harry was kept in the dark about Queen Elizabeth II's health shortly before she passed away. In an excerpt obtained by People, Scobie claimed that His Majesty asked Prince Harry "to come alone" even if it was already reported that his wife would accompany him to Balmoral. The monarch reportedly told his younger son to leave Markle behind because his sister-in-law was also not coming.
"Charles had cited 'protocol,' but the reality was that Kate chose to stay back to pick up the children from their first day at a new school," Scobie wrote. An unnamed former Palace aide reportedly told him, "They just didn't want Meghan there." Markle's pal added that she could sense "she wasn't wanted."
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis started attending Lambrook School in September 2022 after the Prince and Princess of Wales decided to move their family from London to Windsor. Prince William flew to Balmoral with his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also joined them.
Another anonymous tipster told Scobie that Prince Harry was "completely by himself," noting, "It was upsetting to witness."
The Duke of Sussex also spoke about the same incident in his memoir "Spare" released earlier this year. Prince Harry also revealed his displeasure over the conversation about his wife.
"[Charles] said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didn't want ... her," Prince Harry wrote, per Us Weekly. "He started to lay out his reason, which was nonsensical and disrespectful, and I wasn't having it. [I replied,] 'Don't ever speak about my wife that way.'"
Scobie also claimed that there was a "tug-of-war" between the Sussexes team and Buckingham Palace because the latter wanted to announce the Queen's death to the public without informing Prince Harry, who was still in a 70-minute flight. The palace announced the Queen's passing at 6:30 p.m., while Prince Harry's plane touched the tarmac 20 minutes later.
Queen Elizabeth died on Sept. 8. She was 96.
