Queen Elizabeth Has Shown 'Infinite Patience' Towards Prince Harry, She 'Knows Being The Spare Is Hard,' Biographer Claims
April 2 2021, Published 12:36 p.m. ET
If you're wondering why Queen Elizabeth II has a soft spot for Prince Harry, it's because she witnessed her younger sister, Princess Margaret, struggle in the spotlight, too.
“I think the Queen knows that being the spare is hard and a part of her recognizes that Harry was sometimes a bit of a lost soul just like her sister,” Andrew Morton, who recently released Elizabeth & Margaret: the Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters, told Vanity Fair. “She has always wanted to protect Harry and I think in part that’s because she watched Margaret fall victim to the system. Shutting out Margaret didn’t help and the Queen has learned from that. She didn’t want history to repeat itself with Harry.”
Morton added that this is reason why the 94-year-old has "infinite patience" towards Harry, 36.
“When you compare personalities, Harry is like Margaret, a royal rebel,” the author added. “Margaret once said ‘disobedience is my joy’ and you see some of that in Harry. The Queen also knew Margaret sometimes felt like an outsider and I think that’s why she has made sure the door is always open for Harry to return to the royal fold. She will have a lot of empathy and sympathy for him because she grew up watching her younger sister act the role of the spare, which is not easy.”
Morton's book discusses the Queen and Margaret's relationship, and he touches upon how "there are also many parallels between the relationship between Elizabeth and Margaret and William and Harry."
"William is dutiful, serious, considered, cautious, just like the Queen. I think one of the main differences between Margaret and Harry was that Margaret was always loyal to the crown," he explained.
During the tell-all interview, Harry gushed about his relationship with the monarch.
"I have spoken more to my grandma in the past year than I have in many, many years. My grandmother and I have a really good relationship and understand. I have a deep respect for her," he said.
After the dad-of-one and Meghan Markle claimed that someone in the royal family was "concerned" over Archie's skin color and that the royal family didn't support them, Buckingham Palace released a statement about the allegations.
“The following statement is issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen,” the statement, which was shared on social media on Tuesday, March 9, began.
“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Meghan and Harry. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst 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.”
Despite the drama Harry has caused, the Queen will always have a soft spot for her grandson.
“She has a lot of affection for Harry. She was there the day Harry lost his mother and has been there for him ever since,” Morton said. “She has deliberately taken him under her wing. I think as a grandmother she has been far more understanding than as a mother at times.”
