Did The Queen Just Take This Major Step With Harry And Meghan?

Nearly four months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, it appears as though Queen Elizabeth II is extending an olive branch to the couple. Though Her Majesty typically avoids disclosing her opinions outside of official Buckingham Palace statements, an inside source told The Sun that the queen simply felt sad after Prince Harry and Markle accused the royal family of conducting racist practices and ignoring Markle's mental health troubles during their television special with Winfrey in March. "[The family] has always worried about [Harry], and the queen feels very protective about him," the source told The Sun. "They always tried to support him when Meghan came along. They all worried less about him when Meghan was on the scene as he seemed happy."

Though the queen still has a soft spot for her grandson, she was reportedly unhappy with comments he made during an appearance on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast in May. Per US Magazine, Prince Harry compared growing up in the royal family to living in a zoo. "The queen is unimpressed with Harry's latest interview and found it hurtful," an inside source told US Magazine. "It hasn't done their relationship any favors. It definitely hasn't helped with healing the rift." 

Despite these comments, Queen Elizabeth's latest move makes it appears as though she is looking to lessen the rift between herself and Prince Harry and Markle. Keep reading to learn more.

Queen Elizabeth might be ready to bury the hatchet. On June 26, the Mail on Sunday reported that Queen Elizabeth invited Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place in June of 2022, to celebrate her becoming the first British monarch to spend 70 years on the throne. The Platinum Jubilee will include four days of festivities, like the Trooping the Colour, Service of Thanksgiving, a concert at Buckingham Palace, a series of street parties and picnics, and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, per Town & Country.

Past Jubilees have included a balcony appearance from members of the royal family during the traditional Royal Air Force flypast. According to the Mail on Sunday, it is unclear if Prince Harry and Markle will appear on the balcony for this event, as they aren't working royals. But the Sussexes attending the event would promote goodwill within the family and show their support for the queen. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been invited, and I'm sure the queen is very much looking forward to seeing them there," a royal insider told the Mail on Sunday. 

This invitation might have come straight from the queen, as she was seen driving to Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry's U.K. home, on Friday, per the Daily Mail. Prince Harry is staying there ahead of the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue.