Prince Harry and Meghan ‘grew frustrated when the Queen didn’t bend the rules and bow to their Megxit demands’

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle grew frustrated after the Queen and Charles 'refused to bend the rules' over Megxit, a new biography claims.

The book says Harry and Meghan even considered driving straight to see the Queen after returning from Canada in January because they had failed to secure an appointment with the monarch.

"They were frustrated at the palace in the talks that were going on... they wanted to force the decision," a royal source claims in Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family, which is serialised in and The Sunday Times this weekend.

The book later quotes a senior courtier as saying: "The Queen understood the difficulties they faced, but the rules don't bend for anyone."

It claims relations got even worse after Megxit was announced, as the Queen and William and Kate were left to be a tower of strength to the nation during lockdown.

The Queen’s rousing address was “her finest hour”, while the Cambridges lifted morale with Zoom calls to charities.

But the book says the couple were left “with a bad taste”, feeling William and Kate ignored Meghan at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March — the Sussexes’ final duty as senior royals.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, described as cheerleaders for the pair, are said to have been given access to their inner circle.

'THE VIPERS'

Their book sets out the frustrations felt by the Sussexes who wed at Windsor Castle in May 2018.

It says: “While they both respected the hierarchy of the institution, it was difficult when they wanted to focus on a project and were told a more senior family member, be it William or Charles, had an initiative being announced at the same time so they’d have to just wait.”

The Sussexes moaned they’d taken the monarchy to “new heights around the world” and were held back so they did not “eclipse” the family, it’s claimed.

A friend of the couple described the old guard as “the vipers” — while a Palace staffer referred to Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, as “the squeaky third wheel” of the family.

The book also details how the bitter Sussexes are said to have been angry at being barred from setting up their own office at Windsor.

They whined they were victims of a “merciless machine” of aides and courtiers steeped in tradition.

The biographers quote Meghan astonishingly claiming: “I gave up my entire life for this family. I was willing to do whatever it takes. But here we are. It’s very sad.”

She and Harry were bemused that other royals appeared jealous of their popularity, says the book.

They also began to feel they lacked support within Buckingham Palace, it is claimed.

The authors add: “The senior courtiers, whom Diana used to refer to as men in grey suits, were concerned that the global interest in, and popularity of, the Sussexes needed to be reined in.

“In the short time since their fairytale wedding, they were already propelling the monarchy to new heights.

"As their popularity had grown so did their difficulty in understanding why so few inside the Palace were looking out for their interests. They were a major draw for the Royal Family.”

'MORE RELATABLE'

The Sussexes’ team were even said to have compared online interest in them with that of Wills and Kate.

They found they accounted for 83 per cent of Google searches linked to the former “Fab Four”.

The authors claim: “The Sussexes had made the monarchy more relatable.”

Yet Harry is said to have become “drained” with family politics.

The authors add of Meghan and Kate: “The Duchesses struggled to move past the distant politeness of when they first met.

“Their cordial but distant rapport was apparent when they appeared with each other.  

Harry likened it to standing in front of a firing squad

Biography authors

"The state of affairs between them was just an offshoot of the real matter at hand — the conflict between Harry and the institution. Harry likened it to standing in front of a firing squad.”

Another source of anger came when the Sussexes were barred from establishing their own team in Windsor, separate from all others.

The authors say: “Senior officials quickly ruled out that option.

“For months the couple tried to air their frustrations but the conversation didn’t lead anywhere.”

The Sun exclusively revealed their Megxit plans to spend more time in Canada in January.

That led to the Sandringham ­summit with the Queen which ­formalised how the Sussexes would step down.

The book claims Harry ­discussed the “need for change” with the Queen and Charles before the summit but was frustrated by the lack of movement.

And it says they took the decision to become financially independent and “cut themselves off from access to the Sovereign Grant”.

The book claims they wanted to see the Queen on their return to the UK on January 6, but were told she wasn’t available until January 29.

Harry is also said to have grown frustrated at comments on online stories about the couple.

The book says: “Harry is reported to have said, ‘It’s a sick part of the society we are living in today and no one is doing anything about it. Where’s the positivity. Why is everyone so miserable and angry?”

'DEVASTATED' QUEEN

He is said to have cemented his desire for a split after spending time on Vancouver Island over Christmas.

The authors write: “Harry told a friend, ‘I don’t need that movie moment where we get out of a car and wave to hundreds of photographers before going into a building.’

“It should just be about the work that’s happening inside. Let’s focus on what really matters.”

The biography goes on to reveal that the “devastated” Queen agreed to the couple leaving but ruled out a ‘half-in, half-out’ solution.

It says: “The most disappointing aspect was Harry being stripped of his honorary military appointments.

“It was so unnecessary,” Meghan texted to a friend, says the book.

At Westminster Abbey in March only Wills, Kate, Charles and Camilla were allowed to walk with the Queen — much to Harry’s frustration.

The book says: “Harry spoke up, but the damage had been done.

“To smooth things over the Cambridges agreed to take their seats at the same time, but appeared unhappy with this.

“While Harry and Meghan greeted William and Kate, the Cambridges showed little response. William nodded, ignoring Meghan.”

Harry, Meghan and baby Archie are now based at actor Tyler Perry’s £15million Beverly Hills mansion.

The book does claim it was “like old times” between Harry and the Queen at a meeting shortly before the Sussexes quit the UK.

A source added: “It’s been made very clear they can come back whenever they want.”

GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk