When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle emerged from St George's Chapel on that bright May day in 2018, their wedding was heralded as a fairytale celebration of love. The Royal Family seemed united: Prince William stood as Harry's best man, and Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle, signalling a new beginning for the couple. Yet, beneath the idyllic exterior lay a quagmire of tension and discord, suggesting that the path to matrimony was far from smooth. Notably, tensions had simmered within the royal ranks for months leading up to the ceremony, with various claims of clashes between the couple and royal staff reported widely by royal observers.

In Tina Brown's bestseller, "The Palace Papers," the lead-up to Harry and Meghan's wedding is described as fraught with drama. Sources revealed to Brown that preparations were marked by a series of demanding requests from the couple that left many aides feeling exasperated. Two key issues highlighted were Meghan's choice of tiara and the fittings for the bridesmaids’ dresses. Meghan's desire to wear a tiara glittering with emeralds—her preferred choice—sparked controversy. Angela Kelly, the late Queen Elizabeth II's respected dresser, reportedly advised against it, stating that its Russian origin made it unsuitable. This disagreement resulted in a notable admonishment from the Queen herself, during which Harry was reminded that traditions could not be disregarded for personal whims.

Following this altercation, Meghan settled on Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau tiara. However, further tension arose when, during wedding rehearsals, Meghan requested that the tiara be retrieved from storage so her hairdresser could style around it. This request, however, was denied, as it required the Queen's explicit permission, a detail that only intensified Harry's frustration. Allegations of Harry's insistence—“What Meghan wants, Meghan gets”—paint a picture of a prince battling for his fiancée within the traditional royal structure.

The saga was not solely restricted to the tiara situation; an incident involving bridesmaid attire also added fuel to the fire. The dispute reportedly arose between Meghan and Kate Middleton over whether the bridesmaids should wear tights, adhering to traditional royal protocols. According to various accounts, the altercation escalated over the permissible length of Princess Charlotte’s dress, culminating in emotional fallout that left Kate in tears. Meghan’s assistant at the time confirmed the tensions, illustrating the chaotic atmosphere that surrounded the preparations.

These underlying rifts were exacerbated in the years following the wedding, illuminated further by Harry's memoir "Spare," where he recounts the gradual unraveling of his ties with his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Kate. The fallout delved deep into personal grievances and cultural conflicts, presenting an alarming crescendo of conflicting narratives and personal grievances that seemed to have developed long before Harry's marriage. Additionally, Harry's description of a physical altercation with William revealed just how far the familial ties had frayed, with royal duties becoming points of contention rather than shared responsibilities.

Moreover, intimate revelations regarding his relationship with the late Queen shed light on her dismay towards the couple’s decision to step back from royal duties. Lady Elizabeth Anson recounted that the Queen ultimately struggled to understand Harry's choices, feeling hurt by his departure from established royal norms. The marriage to Meghan not only altered Harry's trajectory within the Royal Family but also significantly impacted their dynamic with the institution itself.

As the years rolled on, Harry and Meghan's public journey only intensified, especially after their controversial tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. In this broadcast, Meghan shared her perspective on various disputes, claiming that the narrative surrounding her interactions with Kate was wrought with inaccuracies. She described the emotional toll of being blamed for events that did not unfold as reported. This conflict of narratives has left the public divided, with contrasting accounts only serving to amplify scrutiny of both parties involved.

In light of subsequent events, including Harry's revelations about his childhood and the pressures of royal life unveiled in "Spare", it becomes clear that the tensions surrounding the initial wedding celebrations were not merely isolated incidents but rather symptomatic of larger fractures within the institution. Harry’s articulation of his struggles, alongside his desire to maintain a connection to his late grandmother, encapsulates the delicate balance of personal and public life that the couple continues to navigate.

The turmoil surrounding Harry and Meghan’s nuptials exemplifies a turning point in royal traditions and modern expectations. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of duty, familial loyalty, and personal happiness in the context of an institution burdened by centuries of expectation. As the Royal Family evolves, so too does its narrative—a narrative that continues to be scrutinised by both royal experts and the public alike.

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Source: Noah Wire Services