Many saw it a simple request — not Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Harry wanted to take part in the national memorial on Remembrance Sunday even though he is miles away in California with wife Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, reached out to the event’s official organizers who prepared a wreath on his behalf that would honor the many who have given their lives or were wounded in war.
Palace officials surprised many by declining to have Harry’s wreath at the memorial because he and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties.
A source told PEOPLE Magazine that Prince Harry was left heartbroken by the move.
The royal insider claimed: “Harry understands that he doesn’t have the same formal role in the family as he used to. But he was saddened and disappointed by the decision.”
After reportedly slapping down the somber request, Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and the rest of the royal family, including Kate Middleton, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Prince Charles left tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the Cenotaph.
In an interview with E! News, Stewart stated: “I can’t give exact examples but, obviously, they’ve detached themselves from the Royal Family and in the times we’ve spoken about them since they’ve been in LA, there have been some small requests they’ve asked for.”
He went on to say: “It’s been sort of like, ‘ok, we can accommodate, we’re figuring our way.’ This was the first blatant…this is the line. You’re not senior members of the Royal Family anymore, enough. We’re not catering for you; you live in Santa Barbara, you’ve got rich, famous neighbors, you want to focus on other things.”
Stewart said he is delighted that the royal family has effectively closed the door on the power couple: “We’re not doing things on behalf of you, you either show up like you’re supposed to do, or you’re not a part of it. It was kind of nice to see; finally, the line is drawn. We’re not just always going to extend something out for you, you’ve made this decision, and now we’re following suit and respecting that.”
E! News co-host Kym Whitley slammed the Queen’s decision and reminded her of the fiasco surrounding her uncle, King Edward VIII, who took the abdication route in 1936 after the Government denied his demands to marry his American divorcée, Wallis Simpson.
Whitley said: “You remember what happened to his great grand-uncle, King Edward VIII? I felt bad when they kicked King Edward out; he just wants to marry the American. They would not let King Edward be involved any longer in any of the family matters, so I think they just set an example that they can’t come back, especially when it’s a big family thing. But I felt bad for him because as a young boy, he lost his mum and maybe, with him, laying a wreath for Remembrance can be attached to him. So I’m glad they did their own thing.”
Whitley also backed Harry and his wife for fleeing London to save their marriage.
She shared: “You also have to remember why he made the decision. They were really mean to his wife and his child. He didn’t make the decision because he didn’t just feel like being part of the family. He had to make an executive decision for his family.”
Harry and the former actress took part in an intimate private ceremony at the National Cemetery, where they placed flowers at the gravesites of two soldiers who fought for Commonwealth armed forces.
