King Charles is said to have personally called Prince Harry to inform him that Meghan Markle should not accompany him to Balmoral during the Queen’s final hours—and he did so for a significant reason.
As the royal family hurried to Balmoral to be with the late Queen in her last moments, not everyone was reportedly welcome. Charles allegedly made the difficult choice of asking Meghan to remain behind, allowing Harry to visit his grandmother alone. This decision was reportedly made with the understanding that Princess Kate was also staying behind.
However, in his book “Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story”, author Robert Hardman claims that Kate was not asked to stay away but instead chose to remain in England to support her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
That same day, the three children were beginning their first day at a new school, Lambrook. Kate’s decision inadvertently made things easier for Charles, who at the time believed his mother had days rather than hours left to live. His primary focus was ensuring the royal family could say their goodbyes without unnecessary tension.
According to the 2024 book, Charles’ decision to ask Meghan to stay behind was aimed at avoiding family conflict.
Harry later wrote about this moment in his memoir “Spare”, recalling that his father told him Meghan would not be joining him. He described Charles’ reasoning as “nonsensical and disrespectful” and responded firmly, saying: “Don’t ever speak about my wife that way.” Charles was caught off guard, apologized, and explained that no other wives would be coming—including Kate—so Meghan should not either. Harry retorted that this was all his father needed to say.
The Queen pa:ss:ed away peacefully at 15:10 on September 8. Only Charles, Camilla, and Princess Anne were able to see her before she died. Both Charles and Anne had been in Scotland at the time for royal engagements, but only Anne was present at the moment of her passing.
Charles had briefly stepped away to gather his thoughts and was out foraging for mushrooms when he received the news.
His most senior aide took a call, and as Charles drove back to Balmoral, he was addressed for the first time as “Your Majesty,” marking the beginning of his reign.
At 12:50 pm, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Sophie were en route to Scotland. Unfortunately, they did not arrive in time. Their flight landed at 3:50 pm, 40 minutes after the Queen’s d.e.a.t.h.
William, driving the group, reached Balmoral at 5:06 pm. Prince Harry, on the other hand, left Luton airport on a private jet at approximately 5:30 pm and was still in the air when the Queen’s passing was publicly announced at 6:30 pm.
