Secret recordings? How the late Queen feared Harry and Meghan leaks | The Daily T

Key Concepts

• Constitutional Monarchy: The system where the monarch acts as a non-political head of state, bound by formal advice from elected officials.
• "The Queen's Way": A method of maintaining neutrality and duty, prioritizing "What should the Queen do?" over personal feelings.
• "Mexit": The colloquial term for the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan) from royal duties.
• "The Crown" (Netflix Series): Criticized by the author as "fundamentally dishonest" for prioritizing "emotional truth" over historical accuracy.
• Royal Protocol: The strict, often unspoken rules of behavior, including curtsying, staff management, and the handling of sensitive state information.

1. The Queen’s Character and Methodology

Hugo Vickers, who met the late Queen over 40 times, describes her as an "executive woman" who was grounded, possessed a sharp sense of humor, and had an extraordinary "random access" memory for facts.

• The "Are you sure?" Test: The Queen frequently used this phrase with theatrical timing to catch ministers or officials off guard if they had not done their research.
• Duty vs. Personal Self: Vickers emphasizes that the Queen operated as two distinct entities: the public monarch and the private woman. When faced with crises, she would ask, "What should the Queen do?" rather than acting on personal impulse.
• Communication: She was a master of subtle communication. She would often use anecdotes to provide guidance to Prime Ministers without overstepping her constitutional bounds.

2. Relationships with Prime Ministers

Vickers argues that the Queen did not discriminate between political parties, maintaining a supportive relationship with every Prime Minister.

• Tony Blair: Despite tensions (notably regarding Cherie Blair’s initial reluctance to curtsy), the Queen provided a unique space for Prime Ministers to unburden themselves, as these meetings were private and unrecorded.
• Boris Johnson: The Queen offered him sound advice on how to comport himself after being ousted, emphasizing the importance of dignity and moving forward.
• The "Secret Labor" Myth: Vickers dismisses the idea that the Queen had political leanings, noting that the perception of her "favorite" Prime Ministers usually comes from the politicians' own accounts, not hers.

3. The Sussexes and Royal Turbulence

Vickers provides a critical perspective on the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, citing a breakdown of trust.

• Security Concerns: The Queen was reportedly concerned about the Sussexes being "wired" (recording conversations) during visits, leading her to ensure others were present in the room.
• The "Half-In, Half-Out" Problem: Vickers argues that the Queen believed one could not be a working royal while living a private life in California, viewing Harry’s departure as a failure of duty.
• Staff Relations: The Queen reportedly intervened when Meghan was allegedly rude to staff, such as Windsor gardeners, reinforcing the expectation that royal behavior must be impeccable toward employees.

4. Prince Philip: The "Marriage Counselor"

Vickers reveals a side of Prince Philip often overlooked: his role in trying to stabilize the marriage of Charles and Diana.

• Marriage Guidance: Philip wrote moving, supportive letters to Diana, advising the couple to spend time together and focus on shared interests like music.
• Final Days: Philip lived his final years largely at Wood Farm, finding solace in painting and carriage driving. Vickers notes that Philip died suddenly, and the Queen’s "fury" at his passing was a tongue-in-cheek reaction to his lifelong habit of leaving without saying goodbye.
• Health: Philip suffered from pancreatic cancer for eight years, a testament to his resilience and the medical care he received.

5. Notable Quotes and Perspectives

• On the Queen’s legacy: "It will simply be remembered as one of the greatest reigns in British history where you had a woman who at the age of 21 made a promise to serve and kept that promise faithfully for 75 years."
• On "The Crown": "There is the truth and then there is the emotional truth. By which I think he [the historical advisor] meant that if you don't like the truth, you just make it up."
• On the Sussexes: "The distress the Sussexes caused the Queen in the last years of her life cannot be overestimated."

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

The biography Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History serves as a corrective to the sensationalized narratives often found in media and dramatized television. Vickers portrays a monarch who was defined by her unwavering commitment to duty, her ability to navigate complex political landscapes, and her role as a stabilizing force for the nation. The main takeaway is that while the final years of her reign were marked by family turbulence and public controversy, the Queen remained a constant, grounded figure who prioritized the institution of the monarchy above all else.