In her late years, Queen Elizabeth II issued words of advice to grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, as her concerns grew about the modernisation of the monarchy.
At the time, the 92-year-old late Queen was said to be “concerned” William and Harry had not got their priorities in order.
According to the book ‘Harry: Conversations with the Prince’ by Angela Levin, the late Queen issued a nine-word warning to her grandsons and warned both men that they must “think of the nation’s needs rather than their own”.
Explaining the understanding of Harry’s wishes at the time, Angela said: “Harry’s vision includes the young royals’ right to an ‘ordinary life’, where their duty to each other and their children may come before or alongside their duty to the nation.
“This is known to concern the Queen, who, insiders say has quietly told both Harry and William to think first of the nation’s needs rather than of their own.”
When the late Queen acceded to the throne aged just 25, her life changed overnight from that of a young wife and mother to a busy Head of State.
She was to become known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, and was an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of both crisis and celebration.
Queen Elizabeth was served by 15 UK Prime Ministers during her reign, beginning with Winston Churchill in 1952.
The late Queen also saw public and voluntary service as one of the most important elements of her work. Her Majesty had links – as Royal Patron or President – with over 500 charities, professional bodies and public service organisations.
During her final years before eventually passing on September 8, 2022, Prince Harry put the needs of his family first, by choosing to step back as a senior working royal alongside his wife, quitting royal duties in 2020.
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly left unimpressed by Prince Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties and relocate to the US, according to a royal commentator.
Robert Jobson, a seasoned royal reporter, who penned the biography on Princess Kate, titled ‘Catherine, the Princess of Wales’ wrote: “As a grandmother, Queen Elizabeth undoubtedly loved Harry and the fun-loving side to his character, but as a monarch, she saw him as a maverick who had let her down.
“His departure, she told those close to her, was a ‘missed opportunity’. She knew that he and Meghan had much to offer and certainly appealed to the younger generation in a way none of the other royals could.”
He added: “But the idea of the couple earning millions by cashing in on their royal titles and status was abhorrent to her.”
The author alleges that while Queen Elizabeth “did not object” to the Sussexes’ decision to leave, she was “adamant” they should be “stripped” of their patronages and prohibited from using their HRH titles.
After the royal couple’s departure, Harry and Meghan kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, but were no longer addressed as his or Her Royal Highness (HRH) and Harry also gave up his military titles.
