Robert Hardman, author of the new book “The Making of a King: Charles III and the Modern Monarchy,” talks to PEOPLE about some of the key claims
Queen Elizabeth and her successor Prince Charles didn’t always see eye to eye, but in the final years of the record-breaking monarch’s life, they came together over a difficult decision.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they wanted to step back from royal duties, they proposed a scenario in which they would combine public duties with work outside the royal family. As negotiations continued over the couple’s future, Harry’s father, Charles, 75, and grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, remained firm. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had to fully commit to being members of the royal family.
“Harry and Meghan’s departure has brought Charles and his mother closer,” Robert Hardman, author of a new book The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, speak to PEOPLE.
The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June 2018.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Harry and Meghan’s shocking revelations during an interview with Oprah Winfrey the following year posed an additional challenge for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. The candid discussion exposed the couple’s grievances and claims about their experiences within the working royal family, sparking a public and media firestorm.
“I don’t think anything can top the kind of shock that the Oprah Winfrey interview felt — it was huge,” Hardman says.
Why Queen Camilla’s Family Nicknamed ‘Lorraine’ (King Charles Didn’t Like It!)
Following the interview with Oprah, the couple also released a documentary on Netflix, and Harry released his memoir, Sparewhich detailed his strained relationship with various members of the royal family, including his brother Prince William.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(857x0:859x2)/Prince-Harry-Jokes-About-First-Flight-with-Father-King-Charles-at-Living-Legends-of-Aviation-awards-012224-4-aecc2f19f9c94e0eaf430b2b953261ed.jpg)
King Charles and Prince Harry in April 2019.
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
The author, who spoke to many past and present royal aides and friends of the king for his book, says there was “sadness” for Charles at the time, but he remained “pragmatic”.
Says Hardman: “There was a kind of weary resignation, but also a sense of ‘look, I’ve got so much to worry about now that I don’t have the luxury of thinking about this.’ If that’s what they want to do. I mean, there’s only so much I can do as a father. And the door is always open.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/prince-harry-duke-of-sussex-meghan-duchess-of-sussex-invictus-games-closing-ceremony-091823-1-SQ-328cd3344fca4c038dfc0dcd8ffa425c.jpg)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry September 16, 2023
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to receive the latest news on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Hardman added that the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was a loss for the monarchy, saying there was an “occasional wistful thought” in the palace “about whether they were still part of the team and all the things they could have done and could be doing now.”
He added: “There is no doubt that Harry and Meghan are a great loss to the institution and that is still appreciated and understood. There is absolutely no feeling of good release or anything like that. It is basically a source of deep regret.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education