Queen Elizabeth and Meghan Markle Didn't Really Disagree About Meghan's Wedding Tiara
New details from Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand's upcoming biography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Finding Freedom, continue to surface—and the latest anecdote relates to a long-rumored clash with Queen Elizabeth over Meghan's choice of wedding tiara.
The Queen traditionally loans royal brides tiaras for their big days—Kate Middleton, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie were all loaned sparklers in recent years—and she did the same for the Duchess of Sussex, lending her Queen Mary's Bandeau Tiara. However, multiple UK publications reported that there was some behind-the-scenes drama concerning Meghan's headpiece, and the Queen had actually shot down the Duchess's first choice of tiara.
Finding Freedom aims to clear up these stories, according to a new People article. (While People promises to run an excerpt from the book soon, this report summarizes the book's claims, rather than quoting them verbatim.) Scobie and Durand reportedly claim that there was no drama at all between the Queen and Meghan—but that there was indeed some conflict surrounding the tiara.
Harry was apparently worried that the Queen's longtime dresser, Angela Kelly, "was dragging her feet in helping Meghan obtain access to her chosen tiara for a hair trial in advance of the big day"—though, in the end, the hair trial went forward with no delay.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously opened up about Queen Mary's Bandeau Tiara in the audio guide for an exhibition about their wedding, staged at Windsor Castle. (After royal weddings, exhibitions are often put on to allow royal watchers a close look at the bride's gown, and more insight into the big day.)
"When it came to the tiara on the day, I was very fortunate to be able to chose this gorgeous art deco style bandeau tiara," Meghan said in the recording, according to Harper's Bazaar UK. "Harry and I had gone to Buckingham Palace to meet with her Majesty the Queen to select one of the options that were there which was an incredibly surreal day as you can imagine."
Harry sweetly revealed trying on a tiara was "every girl's dream," and he wholeheartedly agreed with Meghan's tiara of choice, the Queen Mary's bandeau tiara. "Funnily enough, it was the one that suited the best," Harry added. "The one that looked the best on you without question. I shouldn't have really been there—but an incredible loan by my grandmother."
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