Overview
- Royal biographer Hugo Vickers reports in an April 2026 book that Queen Elizabeth II accepted Prince Harry’s calls only with a lady‑in‑waiting in the room to note what was said.
- An unnamed palace source quoted in coverage says the Queen often kept her replies to one word, such as “yes” or “no,” during those calls.
- The book says she avoided meeting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in private and ensured another person was present at in‑person encounters.
- Vickers also writes that she advised Harry to wait before marrying Meghan Markle and is reported to have disliked elements of Meghan’s wedding dress.
- The Palace has offered no new confirmation of these anecdotes, which follow the couple’s 2020 step back from royal duties and their 2021 Oprah interview that prompted a measured palace statement about differing memories.