The past few months have been turmultuous for the Royal family thanks to the barrage of stories that have hit them from across the pond.
From the moment Meghan and Harry alleged a member of the Royal family had asked how dark the couple’s unborn child would be in the now infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, a negative light has shone on them.
Among the many other bombshells they dropped the couple also claimed a lack of support from the Royal family when Meghan was having suicidal thoughts, a refusal to give Archie a title and security issues when the couple were in Canada after Harry was allegedly “cut off” by his father.
Meghan also said it was Catherine that had made her cry before her wedding day and not the reverse as the press had reported.
Royal protocol has always been “never complain and never explain,” so a general statement in response to the two-hour interview was all that we could expect from the Queen.
Just as the Queen couldn’t address every claim directly, under current royal protocol Catherine couldn’t give her side of the story either.
‘Correct false media reports’
But now it seems the Queen has changed her press policy to allow the Royal family to respond to any mistruths.
According to the Mail on Sunday palace aides will now correct any false media reports which misrepresent private conversations between the Queen and other senior royals.
It’s thought the move has come after the recent row over the name of Meghan and Harry’s daughter Lilibet, which reportedly sent her “over the edge.”
When Meghan and Harry announced the name of their second child and daughter would be Lillibet, the Queen’s nickname, it was widely reported that the couple had asked the Queen’s permission. However, BBC News reported that this wasn’t true.
Prince Harry was said to be furious after the corporation’s claim and has threatened to sue the BBC for libel through London law firm Schillings, as reported by The Sun.
The couple said the Queen was the “first family member” Harry called and added if the Queen had not been supportive they wouldn’t have used the name.
Reports also suggested Harry and Meghan had introduced their newborn daughter – born on June 4 – to the Queen via video call.
However, a source told the Mail on Sunday that “no video call has taken place”.
“Friends of the Sussexes appear to have given misleading briefings to journalists about what the Queen had said and that took the whole thing over the edge,” the source added.
As this story unfolded at no point was the Queen able to dispute or confirm whether what is being reported is an accurate version – until now.
Now it seems senior royals will be able to speak publicly to defend themselves should any falsehoods be reported in the media.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the Queen has told courtiers to correct statements which misrepresent private conversations by her or other senior royals.
Royal biographer Angela Levin said she believes Harry told his grandmother he and Meghan were planning on naming their baby after her but didn’t mention the name Lilibet.
“I think it’s quite rude to her Majesty the Queen. It was a very private nickname from her husband who hasn’t been dead that long,” she told U.K. morning show “Good Morning Britain.”
She said it was given to the Queen by her father George V because when she was little she couldn’t pronounce her name but later it was adopted by her husband Prince Philip.
“It was his (Prince Philip’s) name, he wanted that name for her, it was a special name. I think it’s quite demeaning.”
The tensions between Harry and his family have escalated in recent months. Harry made his first trip back to the U.K. since the interview in April for his grandfather’s funeral where he is said to have received a frosty reception from family members.
Despite a meeting between Harry, his older brother William and father Charles, William is rumored to believe his brother chose “fame over family”.
The announcement comes as Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Prince William and Kate joined the Queen to welcome world leaders to the G7 summit which this year is being held in Cornwall, England.
The Queen welcomed the leaders of the seven G7 member states to a dinner at the Eden Project on Friday night and was her usual cordial and witty self.
As the group of world leaders posed together for a photograph, she joked: “Are you supposed to look like you’re enjoying yourself?”
The Queen also welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife Jill to afternoon tea.
Let’s hope this is the end of a family feud that doesn’t sour important relationships for future years to come.
Please share with all the royal fans you know.
