There’s no doubt that the late Queen warmly welcomed Meghan Markle into the Royal Family when she and Prince Harry began dating in 2017.
But the relationship seemed to dwindle and within only a few years, the American actress and her husband had bitterly walked away from their roles as working royals.
They moved to California and quickly began to publicly criticise the institution Elizabeth II had spent her life serving.
The moment where things went wrong for the pair’s relationship has puzzled royal experts, but now the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden has studied the evidence in a new YouTube television series – Reading The Royals.
Speaking on the Mail+ show, he said the moment the relationship first seemed to show cracks was after a row broke out over Meghan’s tiara for her May 2018 wedding.
In the lead-up to the big day, the Queen had graciously offered Meghan access to her collection of tiaras during what Harry later described as an ‘extraordinary morning’.
She allowed her to try them on in front of her and her devoted dresser and friend Angela Kelly, as well as a royal jewellery expert in her private dressing room.
But Meghan wanted to try the tiaras on when her hairdresser was visiting as they are quite complicated to wear and require a fitting beforehand.
In the new Mail+ YouTube show, Richard Eden said the moment the relationship between the Queen and Meghan seemed to first show cracks was after a row broke out over Meghan’s wedding tiara
Meghan waving with the tiara on her head at her wedding in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018
Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018
However something went badly wrong as when Meghan tried to arrange a fitting with Kelly, it was difficult to agree to a date, and the tone of the messages between the couple and the Palace seemed to annoy Kelly.
Perhaps accustomed to ordering around underlings on a television shoot, Meghan may not have been used to dealing with someone such as Kelly, who – although a servant – was also a confidante of the Queen.
Harry denied in his memoirs, Spare, that he angrily told Kelly, ‘What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.’ He did, however, admit they had been exasperated by the dresser, who ‘fixed me with a look that made me shiver’.
He added: ‘I could read in her face a clear warning. This isn’t over.’
Eden claims the tiara episode was an example of Harry feeling as though Meghan was not given the respect she deserved – setting a bad tone for her relationship with the entire Royal Family.
But the row was just one of the many ups and downs between the Queen and Meghan’s relationship, which is explored in its entirety on the latest episode of Reading the Royals.
It comes as Meghan, 43, was most recently seen without her husband in Los Angeles on November 14 at the launch of her friend’s haircare brand.
The event took place at the celeb-loved restaurant Gjelina where she supported the launch of her A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee’s new Highbrow Hippie hair wellness range.
The Duchess is an investor in Lee’s new collection.
The late Queen’s closest adviser and dresser Angela Kelly seemed to have been annoyed with how she was treated by Meghan during the tiara try on. Pictured on December 11, 2018
Meghan is pictured on her first engagement, a visit to Chester with Her Majesty in June 2018
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured left), 43, supported her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee (picture centre) in Venice, California on November 14 at a glitzy launch event. Pictured right, celeb hairstylist Serge Normant
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Serge Normant, Kadi Lee and Myka Harris attend the Launch of Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness at Gjelina on November 14, 2024
The Duchess, who is also an investor in trendy oat latte brand Clevr Blends, as well as handbag label Cesta Collective, said about her latest investment: ‘I am so proud to invest in [Kadi] as a friend and as a female founder.
She told InStyle: ‘Kadi [Lee] has a mastery of hair health, and her Highbrow Hippie collection is a perfect reflection of that.’
The hairdresser – whose salon is based in the bohemian LA neighborhood of Venice – boasts several famous clients, such as Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Sigourney Weaver.
Meghan was joined by friend and makeup artist, Daniel Martin, as well as celeb hairstylist Serge Normant, who famously styled the mother-of-two’s hair for her wedding ceremony in 2018.
Normant is believed to have introduced Meghan to Lee, who has often posted on social media about coloring the Duchess’ hair.
The hairdresser and her friend Myka Harris founded their salon in 2019 following the success of their shared blog.
Their webpage – which also reveals the owners’ star signs – reads: ‘Highbrow Hippie was created to fill a void. Our goal is to expand the definition of a salon and return to its historical meaning – a gathering place to exchange thoughts and ideas.
‘Creating a sense of community, self care and a way to drop out for a few hours and focus on yourself.
The Duchess of Sussex (center) with very glamorous Instagram poet Cleo Wade (left) and celebrity colourist Kadi Lee (right) to celebrate her 42nd birthday
Meghan, pictured Thursday, November 14, with Serge Normat, was seen smiling and clapping at the Highbrow Hippie launch event
‘Our intention is to refocus on self care, community and experience. What works best for our customers is always top of mind and we hope that people will leave feeling inspired, connected, grounded and maybe having learned something new – either about themselves or someone else.
‘These small steps and attention to detail equal a huge amount of luxury in today’s fast paced and overly connected world.’
Their new collection will include the Root Replenish Active Growth Serum ($88.00) and the Essential Wellbeing Complex supplement ($118.00) to start with.
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