THE Queen “never understood” Prince Harry’s decision to quit the monarchy – and the move deeply hurt her, a friend has claimed.
And her grandson’s behaviour was also seen as “completely alien” by Her Majesty.
The explosive revelations have emerged in The New Royals, the latest book from Royal insider Katie Nicholl.
In it, the Vanity Fair royal editor explores the relationships between the Sussexes, Wales’s and King Charles amid Megxit.
The Sussexes began Royal duties following their May 2018 wedding.
But they left The Firm in an extraordinary exit in January 2020 for a new life in California.
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Speaking to The Queen’s late cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson, Nicholl reveals Her Majesty was rocked by Harry’s departure to America.
“I don’t think the Queen ever truly understood Harry’s decision to leave”, Lady Elizabeth noted.
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The confidante – who spoke with The Queen frequently during tumultuous Megxit – goes on to reveal the true pain Her Majesty felt.
She said: “Turning one’s back on duty is completely alien to the Queen.
“And she has been very hurt by it all.”
Lady Elizabeth – who used to organise parties and events for The Firm – added the whole family felt “distraught”.
Following Harry and Meghan’s departure – Her Majesty allegedly confided in a close friend that she was exhausted by the decision, the book claims.
The source said: “She was very hurt and told me, ‘I don’t know, I don’t care, and I don’t want to think about it anymore.”
They also claim it was a source of sadness to the queen that she got to see so little of her grandkids Archie and Lilibet.
And she was upset that Harry and Meghan didn’t join her in Balmoral for the annual “sleepover” she held for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Incredibly, Lady Elizabeth suggests Harry’s behaviour had already left The Queen bewildered even before Meghan was on the scene.
It came in 2017 when Prince Harry first discussed his struggles with his mental health.
Speaking in public, Harry said he had been wrapped in “total chaos” caused by “shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years”.
Following the comments, The Queen feared her grandson risked tearing up the code of silence vital to keeping the monarchy alive.
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Lady Elizabeth claims: “When I said to the Queen ‘I think it’s no bad thing he’s opened up’, she replied, ‘I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.
“[The media] will want to know more and more’.”
