A letter from Queen Elizabeth II, written in 2020, has surfaced, highlighting her deep concern for the safety of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amidst their move to the United States. This letter, which has recently come to light, was part of the evidence submitted in Prince Harry's ongoing libel lawsuit against The Mail on Sunday.
Authored on behalf of Her Majesty by her then-private secretary, Sir Edward Young, the letter was addressed to the U.K. cabinet secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill. It underscored the paramount importance the Queen placed on the security of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, particularly in light of the threats they had been facing. The letter, now public, was initially reported by The Sunday Times and forms a critical piece of evidence in the legal proceedings.
"You will understand well that ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain safe is of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family," the letter emphasized. It elaborated on the risks associated with the Sussexes' public profiles, Harry's military background, Meghan's independent stature, and the historical targeting of the Sussex family by extremists. The Queen found it "imperative" that the couple "continue to be provided with effective security," recognizing the unique and pressing nature of the threats they faced.
The correspondence dates back to the aftermath of the pivotal Sandringham Summit in January 2020, a meeting attended by senior royals including Prince Harry, Prince William, and then-Prince Charles. This summit, which has since gained notoriety, was convened by the Queen to deliberate on the future roles of the Sussexes following their decision to step back from royal duties. At that time, Meghan Markle was in Canada with their son, Archie.
Prince Harry's recollections of this tense summit were vividly portrayed in the Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan." He described a fraught meeting where he proposed a part-time working arrangement for him and Meghan, an idea that was quickly dismissed. According to Harry, the options ranged from maintaining the status quo to completely severing royal ties, with Harry opting for a middle path that was not entertained.
The Duke's account in the docuseries painted a picture of a contentious family meeting, marked by Prince William's angry outburst, which Harry described as "terrifying." He also recounted then-Prince Charles making allegedly untrue statements and the Queen's quiet, observant demeanor throughout the confrontation.
Further insights into Prince Harry's mindset during this period were shared in his memoir, "Spare." He revealed that his predominant concern at the summit was securing police protection for his family. Desperate to maintain this security, he even offered to personally fund it while in the U.K.
This newly uncovered letter from Queen Elizabeth II not only sheds light on the security concerns that plagued the Sussexes but also underscores the gravity with which the royal family, particularly the Queen, viewed their safety. The revelation of this letter adds a significant dimension to the ongoing narrative surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from royal duties and the complex dynamics within the British royal family.
