"Meghan had cited her seven months pregnancy as the reason for not traveling," the book revealed.
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly relieved that Meghan Markle wouldn't be partaking in Prince Phillip's funeral, a new book has revealed.
In Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors, author Tom Bower claims that the Queen told her trusted aides, "thank goodness Meghan is not coming" on the day of Prince Philip's funeral, according to The Sunday Times, shared Page Six.
The Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99 in April 2021. "His funeral was set for 17th April. Harry arrived in London just before the service," Bower wrote in his book.
"The mood was somber. Daily, the media extolled Philip's remarkable life and devotion to the country. The Duke had planned a simple funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor." Referring to the military drill on the day, the book exclaimed, "Few would not be touched by the perfection of British ceremonial tradition."
For the funeral, Prince Harry had arrived alone. "Meghan had cited her seven months' pregnancy as the reason for not traveling," Bower wrote.
Prince Philip was married to the Queen, 96, and "had been her rock" for 73 years. Bower writes aptly, "In Windsor Castle, the Queen was preparing to face the public on one of the saddest days of her life."
"To comply with Covid restrictions she would grieve alone inside the chapel. 'Thank goodness Meghan is not coming,' the monarch said."
The funeral happened about a month after the couple's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey during which they spoke about their lives as working members of the British Royal family and everything they had to bear.
Markle spoke about how she was suicidal because of the scrutiny from the press and how it impacted her negatively.
"I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember how he [Harry] just cradled me," Markle told Oprah.
When Oprah asked, "Do you think it's because of his race?", Markle expressed her disappointment and revealed that a senior Royal spoke to Prince Harry about their worries about baby Archie. "In those months when I was pregnant, all around the same time we have in tandem the conversation of he won't be given security, he won't be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born."
In a statement addressing allegations made in the interview, the Royal family said that they were "saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan."
"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members," concluded the statement.
References:
https://pagesix.com/2022/07/15/queen-allegedly-relieved-meghan-markle-missed-philips-funeral/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2lFvFhWE2Y
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jeff J Mitchell
