Meghan Markle’s wedding veto that ‘hurt’ Queen Elizabeth and changed royal protocol

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding was among the most-watched events of 2018, with the ceremony at St George’s Chapel and reception at Windsor Castle being a mammoth organisational task. 

Now, royal editor Russell Myers has revealed new insights into the behind-the-scenes of all the prep that went into one of the biggest weddings in modern memory in his book William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, published on 24 February. He detailed how Meghan, now 44, disagreed with Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, when it came to who would be involved in organising the big day. 

Queen Elizabeth and Meghan’s wedding disagreement

Myers wrote: “Lady Anson, who died aged 79 in 2020, had helped plan many royal events, including the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, the Queen and Prince Philip‘s 70th wedding anniversary, and William and Catherine’s wedding. At the behest of the Queen, Lady Anson offered her assistance to Harry and Meghan, but Meghan told her she was not required. Lady Elizabeth said the fiery exchange with her grandson left the Queen ‘hurt beyond belief’.”

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Lady Anson, who was also known as Elizabeth Shakerley, was the first cousin once removed of the late monarch as the sister of Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield. Alongside William and Kate’s wedding, she also planned the nuptials of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece to Marie-Chantal in 1995 and Sting‘s 1992 wedding to Trudie Styler.

Meghan’s bridal attire causes a clash

It wasn’t the only issue that caused a clash between the Queen and Meghan Markle in the lead-up to her and Harry’s big day. Myers penned: “[Royal author Sally] Bedell Smith described how Meghan ‘refused’ to tell the Queen about her wedding dress and had insisted on wearing a veil, which the Queen privately disagreed with, due to her being a divorcee.” 

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Prior to marrying Harry, Meghan was married to American film producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2014. Other royal divorcees like Queen Camilla and Princess Anne, both opted against wearing traditional veils or classic white bridal gowns, favouring skirt suits or dresses and hats instead.

Meghan’s inside insight into wedding reception

While the eyes of the world watched Harry and Meghan say ‘I do’, the couple enjoyed their wedding reception in private. Joined by not only royals but A-listers such as George and Amal Clooney and OprahWinfrey on their special day, the happy couple attended a lunchtime reception for 600 guests at St George’s Hall hosted by the Queen, and hosted an evening reception for 200 close friends and family at Frogmore House.

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In an unprecedented move, Meghan made a speech at the reception, as she revealed in an interview with The Cut. The content of her address was kept private apart from her concluding sentiment, which was that she took comfort in the “resounding knowing that, above all, love wins.”