As the Duchess of Sussex joined her husband, Prince Harry, and grandmother-in-law in their joint official duties at the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards ceremony last week, it was clear Meghan and Queen Elizabeth are forming a new power axis of youth and experience.
‘Her Majesty thinks Meghan is a breath of fresh air. She is already very fond of her and thinks Meghan is great news for the royal family,’ explains a palace insider.
Their second joint engagement in as many weeks saw the pair sharing a moment of laughter during Prince Harry’s speech and greeting A-list celebrities at the Buckingham Palace reception.
‘The Queen loves Meghan’s confidence, her sense of humour and how quickly she has adapted. Above all, she thinks she is the best thing that has happened to Prince Harry.’
With the Duke of Edinburgh retired from public engagements, the Queen, 92, is enjoying Meghan’s support and company during these royal events. Furthermore, the former actress is giving her grandmother-in-law the close female friendship that has been missing from the monarch’s life in recent years.
‘Ever since she lost her sister Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother in 2002, the Queen has missed having another woman she can talk to on a regular basis. She loves the Duchess of Cambridge of course, and Sophie Wessex, but both have their hands full with young children. Whenever Kate has spare time she often spends it with her own family, so the Queen doesn’t see her much.’
With Meghan’s fractured family in the United States, the Queen is also providing the new royal with close support.
There was an ‘instant rapport’ when Meghan, 36, first met the Queen for tea at Buckingham Palace last year.
‘They got on straight away,’ said the courtier. ‘Her Majesty knew immediately that Harry had made the right choice.’
Read the full story in this week’s issue of New Idea, on sale now.
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