Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement on November 27, 2017, with their wedding held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on May 19, 2018. Their engagement photographs were taken in the garden of Kensington Palace. This public celebration belied private conflicts that had begun before the engagement was official, revealing deep-seated tensions within the royal household.
Early royal introductions set a positive tone, with Prince Harry first introducing Meghan Markle to Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 at Royal Lodge in Windsor. Meghan Markle had a quick crash-course in curtseying from Sarah, Duchess of York, before meeting the Queen. The Queen was happy to learn that Meghan Markle was living and working in a Commonwealth country. These early interactions occurred within a palace environment where staff dynamics would soon complicate matters, setting the stage for future disputes.
Let me tell you I don’t agree with you talking to my grandmother about this.
Angela Kelly played a controversial role within the palace, with her close friendship with Queen Elizabeth II frowned upon by Palace aides who felt she was 'technically a servant'. Some courtiers nicknamed Angela Kelly 'AK 47' because they felt threatened by her influence. Private secretaries fell foul of Angela Kelly because she had the Queen's ear and could make or break palace careers. This influence positioned Kelly at the center of several disputes, including those involving Meghan Markle's wedding preparations.
Ahead of his 2018 wedding, Prince Harry's bride Meghan Markle had her heart set on wearing an emerald tiara, but unanswered questions about its provenance made it unsuitable. Queen Elizabeth II offered Meghan Markle the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara instead. This alternative offer marked the beginning of what would become known as 'tiaragate', a series of escalating conflicts over the tiara's use.
He can’t have it. I’ll deal with him. We’re having enough trouble with this wedding.
Tensions rose when Angela Kelly declined to give Meghan the tiara for a trial appointment with her hairdresser. Prince Harry allegedly reduced Angela Kelly to tears during the 'tiaragate' scandal, highlighting the intense emotions involved in the dispute.
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry contradicted the suggestion that the Queen was opposed to Meghan borrowing the tiara, saying his grandmother actually advised her to try it on with her hairstylist. Prince Harry claimed in his memoir that when he tried to contact Angela Kelly later to get the tiara for a practice session, she did not respond. This account presents a different perspective on the events, suggesting miscommunication or deliberate obstruction.
Another pre-wedding row, which would continue to create headlines years after the wedding, concerned Meghan’s choice of tiara. The Queen much enjoyed offering a piece from her own tiara collection to a royal bride, when required.
Royal historian Robert Hardman wrote in his book that there was a reported clash between Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II over Meghan's choice of tiara. This historical account adds weight to the narrative of conflict, though it contrasts with Prince Harry's version in his memoir, indicating differing interpretations of the same events.
Prince Harry wrote in his memoir that Angela Kelly was a troublemaker, harshly characterizing her role in the palace dynamics. This characterization reflects the personal animosities that fueled the tiara dispute and other tensions.
To my mind, Angela was a troublemaker.
Tensions extended beyond tiaras to include jewelry from Princess Diana, with Prince William reportedly requesting that Meghan Markle not wear any of Princess Diana's jewellery on her wedding day. This request added another layer of family conflict to the wedding preparations.
Meghan Markle wore Princess Diana's aquamarine ring to the reception at Frogmore House, directly countering the reported requests from Prince William. This act of defiance underscored the private rifts within the royal family.
I considered going to Granny, but that would probably mean sparking an all-out confrontation, and I wasn’t quite sure with whom Granny would side.
The royal family were all smiles in public at the wedding, but privately they were at daggers drawn. This stark contrast between public celebration and private conflict defined the event, revealing the complex interplay of personal relationships and palace politics that shaped Harry and Meghan's royal journey.
As one staffer recalled: ‘There was already an atmosphere before Angela arrived. Meghan was nowhere to be seen. Harry poked the box and said ‘Is that it?’ Then he stood over Angela and said he did not like