The five-word ultimatum proved there was no room for negotiation in Queen's eyes.
Prince Harry Hit With Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘Five-Word Ultimatum’ Before Royal Exit, Book Claims
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly encountered significant pressure from Queen Elizabeth II before stepping back from royal duties, according to The Blast, leaving little room for compromise.. A recent book by a royal historian uncovers that Harry had to decide on fully stepping away from the royal family after his aspirations for a "half-in, half-out" deal fell through.
Over the years, tensions with neighbors in Montecito have increased, as some locals have raised concerns about Prince Harry and Meghan’s involvement in the community. Harry allegedly faced difficulty in deciding to leave royal roles, sensing pressure from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who gave him limited options.
Royal historian Hugo Vickers said in his new book “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History” that Harry envisioned a “half-in, half-out” setup that would allow him to stay somewhat connected to the royal family while also being financially independent. Upon his return to the United Kingdom. in early 2020 to explore options, Harry faced a brutal ultimatum: it was either all in or all out.
With no compromise, he opted to step back and return to Canada. Three months later, he and Meghan publicly declared their departure as working royals, ultimately moving permanently to California and leaving Frogmore Cottage, a home provided by the queen.
The author claimed that Queen gave Harry an ultimatum that made him step down from his royal duties.
“He desired an arrangement that was half-in, half-out, allowing him to be self-financing while still having the ability to work for the royal family,” Vickers wrote in his book, according to Page Six. "In the new year of 2020, the three private secretaries, Sir Edward Young, Sir Clive Alderton, and Simon Case, went into Summit mode on the Sandringham Estate and drafted their proposal."
“Prince Harry attended the meeting at Sandringham and was informed it was a matter of all in or all out. He went back to Canada — hesitantly out,” Vickers said.
The Sussexes' Last Visit to London Before the Queen's Death
In June 2022, Harry and Meghan traveled to London to take their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to visit their great-grandmother, honoring her desire for all great-grandchildren to enjoy quality time with her at Balmoral.
The author, Robert Hardman, notes that the queen was “excited” to greet the young Sussexes during their trip for her Platinum Jubilee. “The Queen would finally get to meet Lilibet and was thrilled, say friends, as the 1-year-old crawled around her feet,” as reported by People.
Queen Elizabeth wanted to see all of her great-grandchildren in her final wish.
The Duke mentioned this special occasion in his memoir, Spare, remembering how joyful the queen felt upon seeing his and Meghan’s children. "I also couldn’t stop picturing (the children) with Granny. The final visit. Archie making deep, gallant bows while his little sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch's shins. Darling children, Granny said, sounding bemused. She had expected them to be a little more…American, I think? Meaning, in her mind, more rambunctious.”
Despite this visit, the Sussexes continue to be largely distanced from some family members, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, with their last public event at Windsor being the queen’s funeral in September 2022.