Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced the unexpected news they intended to step down as senior royals one year ago, sparking confusion among members of the Firm and royal fans. The Queen was given the bombshell news after the couple allegedly gave the Royal Family only 10 minutes notice before making it public.
Speaking on Channel 5 documentary, The Queen: In Her Own Words, former British Ambassador Charles Crawford explained that Her Majesty’s tone when addressing the issue was “flawless”.
He said: “When the Queen makes a statement, it’s a statement with a capital ‘S’.
“That’s because there is something which needs to go on the record.
“The tone was flawless, and above all it was very short.”
The Queen published a second statement in which she highlighted the importance of establishing the rules for Harry and Meghan’s exit.
It was released after the Duke of Sussex faced the Queen herself, Prince Charles and Prince William in a series of talks that took place at Sandringham.
The statement read: “Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.
Her Majesty said they were “complex matters” for the Firm and warned that there was “some more work to be done” before a final conclusion was achieved.
Mr Crawford, who is a speech writer, said the Monarch’s statement was a “firm” message to Britons about the situation.
He said: “When the Queen asks for something, it happens. It also sent a public message to the people advising Harry and Meghan – ‘this is over, let’s get down to an agreement and move on’.
“It was a nicely phrased but firm statement saying this is where things stand, just so you all know, and that’s it.”
Royal correspondent Roya Nikkah lauded the Queen for finding a way to resolve the issue.
She pointed out the lack of resentment in Her Majesty’s statements as she sought a way to fulfil her grandson’s request without letting it damage the Monarchy.
Ms Nikkah said: “The Queen is still the boss, and the boss had to get involved and negotiate and find a deal and a way forward.
“The Queen’s handling of that was pretty immaculate. Whilst we had one little mention of her saying ‘I would rather they had stayed as working members of the family’, there was no resentment in any of her statements.”
