Prince Harry Recalls Asking Queen Elizabeth II to Marry Meghan Markle
Prince Harry had to ask his grandmother the late-Queen Elizabeth II for permission to marry Meghan Markle before he popped the question. The 38-year-old Duke of Sussex took a moment in his book, Spare, to reflect on the puzzling occasion. He was reportedly taken aback by her response.
Royal Family news reveals that Prince Harry had to ask his grandmother the late-Queen Elizabeth II for permission to marry Meghan Markle before he popped the question. He was reportedly taken aback by her response. Continue reading and we’ll spill the Early Grey.
Royal Family News: Traditions Aren’t the Same for Prince Harry
Royal Family news reveals that, according to MARCA, the 38-year-old Duke of Sussex took a moment in his book, Spare, released last month, to reflect on the puzzling occasion. Though tradition usually requires a potential groom to ask his girlfriend’s potential parents for permission to marry her, with Prince Harry, the situation was a bit different.
PEOPLE reports that the prince wrote in his book that he was required to get his grandmother’s approval before asking Markle to marry him in 2017. First, however, he shared his intentions with his secretaries Ed Lane Fox and Jason Knauf. It was they who were quick to inform him of the “very real” protocol.
Double Standard?
“It didn’t make sense. A grown man asking his grandmother for permission to marry? I couldn’t recall Willy asking before he proposed to Kate,” Harry wrote of his brother’s requirements (via Hello!), and added, “or my cousin Peter asking before he proposed to his wife, Autumn.
“But come to think of it I did remember Pa asking permission when he wanted to marry Camilla. The absurdity of a 56-year-old man asking his mother’s permission had been lost on me at the time.”
Fox reportedly helped the duke to find an appropriate time to speak with his grandmother. That time turned out to be a family shooting trip at Sandringham in late October.
Finding Time Alone with Queen Elizabeth II
“Shooting trips always put Granny in a good mood. Perhaps she’d be more open to thoughts of love?” Harry wrote of the occasion.
The prince finally found a moment alone with the Queen, at the end of the day as the monarch drove out to the middle of the field along with her hunting dogs to examine the last of the downed birds. Harry reportedly walked over to help her out and the Queen frowned when he popped up.
An Awkward Conversation
“I saw her waiting for me to speak, and not waiting patiently. Her face radiated: ‘Out with it,’” Harry wrote of the awkward moment. “I coughed. ‘Granny, you know I love Meg very much, and I’ve decided that I would like to ask her to marry me, and I’ve been told that, er, that I have to ask your permission before I can propose.’”
“You have to?” Prince Harry quoted the Queen’s response. “‘Um. Well, yes, that’s what your staff told me, and my staff as well. That I have to ask your permission,’” Harry recalled. “I stood completely still, as motionless as the birds in my hands. I stared at her face but it was unreadable. At last, she replied, ‘Well, then, I suppose I have to say yes.’”
He went on to describe how it slowly dawned on him that she had said yes as he sputtered “Right. OK, Granny! Well. Fabulous. Thank you! Thank you so much.” Be sure and stay up to speed on all royally related stories. Return here often for more Royal Family news and updates.