Prince Harry’s “ambushing” of the Royal Family with allegations “took its toll” on the late Queen’s health, sources have reportedly said.
Since moving to the United States in 2020, the Sussexes have regularly criticised the Royal Family when speaking to American media.
And as her health deteriorated in her final years, sources close to the Queen have reportedly said that “almost weekly” attacks from a “much-loved grandson” had an impact.
The late Queen was also aware of Harry’s memoir Spare, with its further claims, was due to be released last autumn, and was then delayed until January 10 due to the death of the monarch.
Harry had given several bombshell interviews from the US while the Queen was still alive including with Oprah Winfrey where he said he had to break the cycle and bring his family up away from the Royal Family.
At the same time Meghan Markle had made allegations of racism as the Sussexes spoke to the American presenter.
It was coincidental that Harry was in the UK when the Queen died as he and Meghan were in Europe for charity events.
Multiple leaks and the accidental sale of Harry’s memoir in Spain has resulted in a flurry of explosive revelations even before its official release.
And while he has spoken fondly of his relationship with his grandmother, people close to the Queen have said that his behaviour had a negative impact on her health, especially as she didn’t like confrontation.
“It had an impact. She had lost Prince Philip, and then the constant ambushing of the Royal family by a much-loved grandson did take its toll. At that stage in your life and your reign, you just don’t need that on top of everything else,” a friend of the Queen told The Telegraph.
The source also said that how could Harry talk of wanting reconciliation with his family and then he “sticks this enormous machete in their backs”.
Another Telegraph source also said they felt there was “absolutely” no doubt that the criticism of the Royal Family affected the late Queen’s health.
Meanwhile, royal insiders have also said that Harry will “never be forgiven” for revealing intimate conversations he has had with Charles and William in his memoir.
Sources close to the royal family said the Duke of Sussex would be branded a “traitor” because of Spare, which includes allegations that William attacked him as they argued about Harry’s wife Meghan.
A former royal staffer, who knew William and Harry while working in the household, said there would “never be a way back for Harry”.
The source said: “I believe he will never be forgiven. After everything he has said about privacy and intrusion, this is hard to comprehend. His words are so vicious and targeted.
“I don’t doubt he still loves his father and his brother but it’s impossible to see how he won’t come to bitterly regret his decision to do this.
“He knows he will be labelled a traitor, by crossing a red line so many times, his father, his brother, the Princess (of Wales) and Camilla, it’s utterly extraordinary.”
