A Grandmother's Concern: Late Queen Elizabeth II Voiced Her Feelings About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Security in Unearthed Letter

Despite her reported "disappointment" in the pair, the late Queen Elizabeth II directed her chief advisor to ensure Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had effective security. The revelation comes via a newly unsealed letter Her late Majesty wrote to her private secretary, Sir Edward Young, in early 2020.

"You will understand well that ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain safe is of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family," Young's letter read on behalf of the Queen. "Given the Duke's public profile by virtue of being born into the royal family, his military service, the Duchess's own independent profile, and the well-documented history of targeting of the Sussex family by extremists, it is imperative that the family continues to be provided with effective security."

The memo was sent to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his entire Cabinet, and although the head of government could technically have denied her wish, a royal command is seldom ever disobeyed.

Young's letter pointed out that although the Queen stressed the importance of ensuring Harry and Meghan's continued security, she acknowledged that the final decision would rest with RAVEC (Royal and VIP Executive Committee).

Later, bits of this letter were presented in a judgment by Mr. Justice Nicklin during a libel case Prince Harry filed against Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of Daily Mail. The case was related to a 2022 article in that paper about the Duke's legal battle with the Home Office over his security provisions.

However, it wasn't always the case of a grandmother being concerned for her grandson and his family, the late monarch was also said to be "inflamed" when Harry threatened to sue her government.

"Prince Harry's threat of legal action against his grandmother's government will not sit kindly with her," royal author Ingrid Seward shared in January 2022. "The Queen does not like being threatened. Even though the threat is not directed at her personally, it is a threat that comes under her jurisdiction. It will make her annoyed and very irritated. She has no desire to alienate the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but if they continually behave like spoiled children trying to get their own way, she will be forced to do so."

The Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine further highlighted how royal security is provided directly by the U.K. government from public money for senior, working royals, and Harry likely always knew this.

"As youngsters, both Harry and William knew exactly how their Police Protection Officers operated," she continued. "They became close to them. They were together every time they left home. One even sat outside the classroom. They were friendly, efficient and unobtrusive. No wonder Harry wants that kind of protection for his wife and children. But he is very unlikely to get it."

Daily Express reported on Young's letter.