In a revelation that adds another layer to the ongoing saga of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a resurfaced book claims that Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, warned Prince Harry against marrying Markle. According to royal author Tom Bower, the 9th Earl Spencer voiced significant concerns about the union before the couple's 2018 wedding.
Bower's 2022 book, "Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors," details the Spencer family's reaction after meeting Markle, the former "Suits" actress. The Mirror reported that the Earl expressed unease about the match, advising his nephew to reconsider his swift move towards marriage.
Earl Spencer, who has been married three times and recently announced his divorce from his third wife, allegedly cautioned Prince Harry about the potential pitfalls of marrying Markle. This advice, however, did not sit well with the Duke of Sussex. Bower describes a "bitter reaction" from Harry, who was disappointed that his family did not see the similarities between Markle and his late mother, Princess Diana.
"Harry assumed that Diana's family and friends would see a similarity between Diana and his fiancée," Bower wrote. "He was disappointed." The author continued, "No one agreed that his vulnerable mother had anything in common with his girlfriend. More discomforting for him, they thought Meghan would not fit in with the royal family."
Despite these alleged reservations, Princess Diana's three siblings, including Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, attended Prince Harry and Markle's wedding at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. Their presence suggested a measure of support for the union, even if private doubts lingered.
The book's claims add a new dimension to the narrative of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with the royal family. The couple's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and move to California has been well-documented, with ongoing speculation about family tensions playing a role.
However, recent events suggest that any past misgivings have not permanently damaged Harry's relationship with his maternal relatives. Last month, Earl Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes were seen supporting Harry at a service at St. Paul's Cathedral, marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. A video shared by Hello! magazine showed Prince Harry warmly hugging his uncle and aunt upon their arrival at the church, indicating that familial bonds remain intact despite past disagreements.
The resurfaced claims from Bower's book come at a time of intense scrutiny for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Since their departure from royal duties, they have both faced and generated significant media attention, with interviews and public appearances often stirring controversy. This latest revelation underscores the complexity of their relationship with both the British royal family and the Spencer family.
Earl Spencer's concerns about Meghan Markle fitting into the royal family echo broader public and media debates that have surrounded the couple since their engagement. The intense scrutiny they faced, coupled with internal family dynamics, has been a persistent theme in their public narrative. Whether these early warnings had any merit or were simply part of the broader challenges the couple faced remains a topic of speculation.
Despite the alleged warnings and the turbulent path that followed their marriage, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have continued to forge their own path. Their move to California marked a significant departure from royal tradition, and their subsequent actions have kept them in the global spotlight.
As the couple continues to navigate their roles outside the royal framework, the insights from Bower's book offer a glimpse into the early familial dynamics that may have shaped their journey. The enduring support from his mother's family, despite initial reservations, highlights the complexities of familial relationships within the context of royal expectations and personal choices.