How Prince Harry 'betrayed' the Queen before she passed
In public Her late Majesty gave less away than an Easter Island statue in a particularly inscrutable mood.
But in private? Whoo boy.
She reportedly did not hold back and those inside royal circles are now talking, revealing how Queen Elizabeth allegedly truly felt about Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
According to a new report, in her final years, the 'dying' Queen (who 'could hardly see…could hardly stand…could hardly move') was left 'utterly devastated' by her grandson.
At the centre of the newest claims are the events of early 2021.
Her late Majesty's husband of 73 years Prince Philip, aged 99, grand commander of the bbq tongs and steadfast helpmate, was clearly unwell, and the Sussexes had been in the US for nearly a year.
They were ready to let their truth ring out and for Oprah Winfrey to get the scoop of the century.
We all know what happened next - the casting of the Crown Inc as a biased and cold-blooded organisation that had blatantly ignored the Sussexees' suffering.
Outwardly at the time the late Queen's response might have been restrained (who can forget the iconic line, 'recollections may vary'?) but in private she was 'utterly devastated', 'betrayed' and 'dismayed', according to royal friends and insiders who have spoken to The Daily Beast 's Tom Sykes.
A former courtier has now told Sykes of Her late Majesty's anguish over the Sussexes' Oprah revelations while Philip 'was on his deathbed.'
'Ultimately, the queen felt betrayed by Harry, and when he and Meghan attacked the institution that she spent her whole life serving in the Oprah interview, that betrayal was complete,' the courtier said.
'It was absolutely shocking to those of us that knew him that he would do that'.
They went on: 'The allegations of racism dismayed [the queen]. To accuse an unidentified person within the family of racism, thereby casting the shadow of suspicion over everyone, was unforgivable in her eyes.'
(Harry would later, in another TV interview, insist that he and his wife had not accused his family of racism but 'unconscious bias'.)
The courtier commented: 'Things were never the same after that. ... It was a horrific series of betrayals at the end of her life.'
That view is one echoed by a friend of the royal family who told Sykes on Sunday: 'You have to remember [that] the queen was seriously ill for several years with bone cancer. She knew she was dying, she could hardly see, she could hardly stand, she could hardly move. And then she was completely let down by her grandson. It was utterly devastating for her.'
Of the Sussexes' dramatic, San Andreas-like fault with the royal family, a friend of Prince William and Kate, The Princess of Wales, has chimed too, telling Sykes, 'The family, of course, all blame Meghan 100 percent'.
'[Harry] ain't the sharpest tool in the box, and they feel he was completely manipulated and that Meghan saw him and realised she could become the most famous person in the world. Then the reality of what their boring royal life would be like sunk in, and she decided to ruthlessly milk it for all it was worth. That is their view.'
One person who reportedly experienced, first hand, how bad things were between Her late Majesty and the Duke of Sussex was a Buckingham Palace switchboard operator.
This weekend supremely well connected royal writer Richard Kay revealed an incident that happened during the pandemic when Harry called the Buckingham Palace switchboard to speak to his grandmother.
As the switchboard operator told Kay: 'When I announced to the Queen that Harry was her caller there was just a stony silence…it was so uncomfortable'.
These new details from Sykes and Kay come after emails sent by a cousin of the late Queen were published in which she wrote about Queen Elizabeth's private fears about the Sussexes' union and how a 'rude' Harry 'blew' his relationship with his grandmother.
Lady Elizabeth Anson was not only related to Queen Elizabeth but they were reportedly so close they finished each other's sentences and spoke on the phone weekly.
In emails Lady Elizabeth sent to respected royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith ahead of the Sussexes' 2018 wedding, she revealed that Harry had 'really upset' Queen Elizabeth and that 'she was so saddened'.
During a tea with Queen Elizabath, the duke 'was rude to her for ten minutes.'
Two weeks before the duke and duchess' 2018 wedding, Lady Elizabeth told Bedell Smith that the late Queen was 'very worried'.
'Harry is besotted and weak about women. We hope but don't quite think she is in love. We think she engineered it all.'
'The Number One Lady…says the jury is out on whether she likes Meghan'.
(Bedell Smith revealed the correspondence with Lady Elizabeth on her Substack.)
Less than two years later, the Sussexes would be pitching their tent in California and embarking on a new life and in 2022, 'The Number One Lady' would pass away, reportedly suffering from a rare form of bone cancer. Two days before her death the late Queen posed for the cameras with new Prime Minister Liz Truss for what would be her final photo.
Despite clearly being unwell, Queen Elizabeth still gave nothing away.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Agnes O'Casey on risking it all in '60s drama 'Ridley Road'
When Vivien Epstein (Agnes O'Casey, impressive in her first TV role) runs away from her comfortable middle class life as a hairdresser in Manchester and heads to London, she lands in a hotbed of political tension, caught up in a surge of neo-Nazism, and a resistance movement called the 62 Group. Soon, she'll find herself risking everything: to do what's right, and for the man she loves. And while the events that unfold in four-part series Ridley Road are set in the 1960s, there's a lot going on here that's incredibly relevant today. "It's so relevant for now, and it's so much more than a 'topical' show – it's so full of heart and humanity, what Sarah's done is beautiful," O'Casey says. She's referring to writer and executive producer Sarah Somelani (familiar to many for her acting role as Miranda in the Bridget Jones movies), who adapted the story from the book of the same name by Jo Bloom. "I think this story is an important one to tell because the dilemma of 1962 is still one that we're grappling with now. Which is, why people are drawn to the far right?," Somelani says. "...One of my guiding principles with the show was how to tell a story about how good people are convinced of bad ideas." The series has a strong cast portraying those on both sides of the political and social divide, including Rory Kinnear as real-life figure Colin Jordan, the leader of the National Socialist Movement; Tracey-Ann Oberman and Eddie Marsan as Vivien Epstein's aunt and uncle; Tom Varey as her ex-boyfriend Jack; Gabriel Akuwudike as a potential friend and ally in London; and Tamzin Outhwaite as a hairdressing salon owner. Tamzin Outhwaite as hairdresser Barbara Watson. Credit: Ben Blackall Just as her character steps into the unknown in her decision to go to London, Ridley Road was a new experience for O'Casey, her first television role (though as The Guardian notes , you'd never guess it). Here she talks about why she felt this was an important story to tell, her nerves and joy at working with people she'd admired for years, and what she kept from Vivien's wardrobe! Vivien is 23 and living in Manchester, in a loving but overbearing household. She is still unmarried and feels this mounting pressure of her parents' wishes. With an arranged marriage looming, she is aware there is a role she must fill that she knows isn't right for her. She's a hairdresser, which is her pride and passion, but she is not being pushed – she feels like she's stagnating. She sees the life that is laid out in front of her and she veers off that path and into the unknown. She takes a leap of faith and runs away to London. Initially she goes to follow Jack, the boy she loves, but she ends up discovering so much more about her own beliefs, her own determination and her own capability. Viven (Agnes O'Casey) starts her new life. Credit: Ben Blackall Did you do any research into Ridley Road? I had no idea about this period in history – I knew about Oswald Mosley [a British politician who led two fascist groups for many decades, beginning in the 1930s] to a lesser extent. This whole period totally blanked me, so it was a huge shock to see the archive footage of swastikas and people 'heil'-ing in such recent history. It's embarrassing to say but when I first read the script, I thought it was fictional. That's one of the many reasons why it is so brilliant Sarah is writing about this now, this period of our history has been forgotten about. There's a really great book called We Fight Fascists by Daniel Sonabend about the 43 Group, who preceded the 62 Group, and it takes you through the war, leading up to the group's formation, who the men were and how it happened. These men fought in the war for Britain and came back to realise that people in their own communities were anti-Semitic. They were normal men and women who took a stand and there is so much to be learnt from them. I think the biggest shock for me was realising how smart and calculated people like Oswald Mosely and Colin Jordan were. Oswald Mosely is on record – he knew that there was going to be an economic depression after the war, so he waited until that happened before he started spreading his anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric because he knew that if people were desperate, they would be more likely to cling onto what he was saying. We see this time and time again. This is my first job and the idea that my first job would be so perfectly in line with everything I believe in is a dream come true. What drew you to Ridley Road? When it first came up, I thought it was perfect. It's so relevant for now, and it's so much more than a 'topical' show – it's so full of heart and humanity, what Sarah's done is beautiful. This is my first job and the idea that my first job would be so perfectly in line with everything I believe in is a dream come true. I was so drawn to Vivien as a character for so many reasons. She's clever without realising she's clever. She's not particularly eloquent but she is truthful and principled, and you watch her on this journey as she discovers her own ability. She is so brave which is something I can't say for myself – she makes split-second decisions and she's always on the front foot, whereas I would probably mull over things for months! Why is this an important story to tell? I think it's an important story to tell because we have seen so much polarisation among our communities, the echo chambers we inhabit mean people are becoming more and more radically right and drastically less empathetic. It's far too easy to go down rabbit holes of misinformation. There are brilliant storylines that explore this in Ridley Road , especially Rita Tushingham's storyline, which I love. She plays a character called Nettie who Vivien takes a room with. Nettie has lost both of her sons in the war and has found solace in the wrong places. We see her go on a journey of discovery and it's played so beautifully by Rita. It's also an important story to tell because anti-Semitism is still very much in operation and it is insidious and overlooked. Rita Tushingham as Nettie. Credit: Ben Blackall What has been your highlight of the production? There's been so many great days – there was a really good day when Tom and I were filming on a train. It was one of those scenes where we didn't know where the camera was going to go, it was very dynamic and very exciting. My first day working with Rory was pretty spectacular. The sets are just brilliant, and Ben the designer is amazing – you walk on set and everything is just so lived in. Actually, my first week we were filming in a studio where all these rooms had been built, and that was my first time on a film set, and I was walking around like "God, this is fantastic!" There's been a lot of pinch me moments on this - obviously working with Rory [Kinnear], Tracy Ann [Oberman], Eddie [Marsan] and Sam [Spiro] has been spectacular. I was so nervous – I couldn't believe that for my first job I would be working with people I've looked up to my whole life. I really idolised Sam throughout drama school – I'd just graduated there, and I always talk about Sam and I'd watch her on livestreams and things, and when I heard she was going to play my mum in this I just couldn't believe it! Tracy also really took me under her wing. This project is so close to both our hearts, and she really looked out for me – she went the extra mile to FaceTime me after filming when there was something in an upcoming scene I needed to talk through with her, and just generally building me up. It felt like a lot of pressure at first and I couldn't have done it without her. All of the actors I worked with were so generous, it felt like such an undertaking to step headfirst into a lead straight out of training but as soon as we did the read through, I knew I was part of a brilliant ensemble and wouldn't be doing it alone. How has it been working with such an incredible cast? Obviously, I was so nervous – I couldn't believe that for my first job I would be working with people I've looked up to my whole life. When I was waiting for the job to start, I kept thinking "I can't believe I'm going to actually meet these people!" The read through was maybe the best day of my life. They are so kind, and they work in such an incredible way. It's the perfect first job to watch pros do what they're doing. London life sees Vivien undergo a transformation. Credit: Ben Blackall In regards to Vivien's look: Did you have any say in the costume and make-up? Yes, I did! [Costume designer] Claire Anderson and Sam Marshall [Hair and make-up designer] are brilliant. We actually started speaking quite early on, as soon as I got the part and I really deferred to them, because they know so much more about this period... Vivien gets a makeover pretty early on... When she goes to London, she looks around, and then starts getting braver and braver with her choices. Sam has mapped out the makeup that Vivien starts making baby steps into the woman she wants to be. First winged eyeliner – then bolder lipstick – then a beehive. I loved discovering that journey because it's so realistic. I think we've all gone through that at some point or another. She takes up her clothes… she really comes into herself in London. I've got this little suede coat that's freezing to wear, but it looks great! This is an edited version of material supplied by Red Production Company. Ridley Road is streaming at SBS On Demand.

ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Author of 'The Salt Path' accused of misleading audience
ABC NewsRadio's Sarah Morice spoke with Dr Nicola Redhouse on an investigation by The Observer, which accuses Bestselling Author of 'The Salt Path' of deceiving an audience of the truth. In response author Raynor Winn says the memoir "the true story of our journey". But does that leave it standing as a memoir? And in the era of fake news and subjective truths is society more forgiving?

News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Why Ozzy Osbourne quit ‘ridiculous' US to return to UK
Ozzy Osbourne has performed with his longtime band, Black Sabbath, for the very last time. The performance comes after the musician quit his decades-long residence in the US and permanently moved back to England with his wife, Sharon, Realtor reports. The 76-year-old rocker revealed in 2022 that he and his spouse, 72, were plotting a return to the U.K. The British singer explained at the time that he had grown frustrated with his life in the 'f***ing ridiculous' US. He also cited gun violence in the country as another reason for his desire to leave. 'Everything's f***ing ridiculous [in America]. I'm fed up with people getting killed every day,' he told The Observer. 'God knows how many people have been shot in school shootings. 'And there was that mass shooting in Vegas at that concert. … it's f***ing crazy.' However, the move was postponed after Ozzy, who has Parkinson's disease, faced several health setbacks that required him to remain in California for longer than he had hoped. It now appears the Osbournes have officially bid farewell to America once and for all. Sharon explained to Planet Rock her husband was finally able to relocate to their home in the UK in March of this year. The former talk show host noted at the time he was thrilled to be joining his Black Sabbath 'brothers' just in time for their final onstage appearance together. 'He's coming over in March. His brothers [in Black Sabbath], he's excited to be here with them,' she shared in February, noting his move would mark the couple's permanent relocation. Less than four months after Ozzy's return to the UK, he made a milestone return to the stage, when he and his Black Sabbath bandmates — Tony Lommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — performed together for the first time in 20 years at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham. The performance took place at the Back to the Beginning, an event that was organised by Sharon to give her husband the chance to end his onstage career with a bang. An emotional Ozzy took the opportunity to thank the band's fans for their support over the years. 'I just want to say to you on behalf of the guys in Black Sabbath and myself, your support over the years has made it all possible for us to live the lifestyle that we do,' he told the crowds toward the end of the show. 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you; we love you.' Ozzy's farewell was made all the more emotional by another milestone event that unfolded backstage shortly before he began his performance: his daughter Kelly Osbourne's engagement to Slipknot rocker Sid Wilson, who popped the question to the stunned reality TV star at the event. Video shared of the moment showed Wilson grabbing Kelly's hand and telling her: 'Kelly, you know I love you more than anything in the world—' only for Ozzy to interject with a hilarious quip, joking: 'F*** off, you're not marrying my daughter.' Despite Ozzy's ribbing, Wilson followed through with his proposal, getting down on one knee in front of her parents to ask that all-important question. Although Kelly has not yet revealed where — or when — she and Wilson plan to tie the knot, the couple are primarily based in Los Angeles, where the 'Lego Masters Jr.' host spent much of her childhood, alongside her parents and her siblings Jack and Aimee. Luckily, should she decide to wed back in the U.S., her parents still have a property that they can use when they travel there in the form of a $US49 million ($A75 million) mansion that they purchased in 2015. The mansion boasts seven bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. Although the home is off the market, the Osbournes listed many of their other properties in preparation for their permanent move across the pond. Since announcing their move, they have listed their two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom condo in the highly sought-after Sierra Towers building no less than three times, beginning in May 2023 for $US4,795,000 ($A7.3 million). It was relisted in June that same year for the same price, before it was removed just a few days later. Finally, they put it back on the market in August, this time at the discounted price of $US4,495,000 ($A6.8 million) — a move that appears to have secured them a buyer. However, they did accept an offer that was $US145,000 ($A221,000) less than the ask. At the time, the home sale helped propel Ozzy and Sharon one step closer toward their goal of quitting the US once and for all in favour of a return to the UK, where they own a stunning estate in Buckinghamshire. After announcing their decision to move back to their home country in 2022, the couple faced several delays, largely as a result of Ozzy's health struggles. The Black Sabbath frontman revealed in 2020 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In an interview on 'Good Morning America,' he explained he had been experiencing nerve pain that led to the discovery of his condition. He also said in January 2024 that he had undergone a staggering 'seven surgeries in five years,' including a procedure on his spine in September 2023. Speaking about their move in a July 2024 episode of their eponymous podcast, Sharon admitted that they were desperate to return to the UK full time, but that 'every time we're set to go, something happens with Ozzy's health. 'We'll get there,' she added. 'We want to go back so bad, but we'll get there. Won't we, Ozzy?'