Queen's 10-word olive branch to Meghan Markle in attempt 'to bend the rules'

Queen Elizabeth II tried desperately to stop "Megxit" - even saying to Meghan Markle: "You can go back to acting if you want to".

But the 10-word offer was not enough to prevent Prince Harry and Meghan quitting royal duties for their new life in California in 2020. Harry, 40, is now American resident and has severed links with the royal family, the crown and the country.

His grandmother, with whom he shared a close bond, didn’t want Harry and Meghan to leave, according to Paul Burrell, a former servant of the royal family. He said: "There is no doubt in my mind that she didn’t want Harry and Meghan to leave. She did not want ‘Megxit’ as it was dubbed, as she knew they would be estranged from her world.

"The Queen even said to Meghan: ‘You can go back to acting if you want to.’ She was willing to bend the rules for Meghan, and offered to talk to her whenever she had any problems."

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Meghan, 44, was an actress, having starred in dramas, including Suits, Fringe and Castle, over the years. She also had roles in films, such as Horrible Bosses, before she became part of The Firm.

And, although the Queen took Meghan on her first engagement to show her the ropes to make sure she settled into royal life, things didn't go as hoped and she and Harry decided to leave.

Mr Burrell added: "She (the Queen) wanted them to stay but she was born into an Edwardian court and was nearly 60 years older than Harry. Her Majesty had lived in a different world from her grandson. How could the Queen understand all of Harry’s problems? She couldn’t.

"They did, however, have a special relationship – particularly because Harry was something of a joker. He didn’t always adhere to protocol. Everyone was very stiff and starchy around the Queen, which she disliked, but he was relaxed and funny."

Harry is set to visit the UK for the first time in nearly six months this week, as he has an awards' ceremony in his diary. Speculation of a reunion with dad King Charles - and therefore a flirt with royal life again - is growing.

But in a piece for the Daily Mailtoday, Mr Burrell claims the picture looks bleak. He wrote: "Harry is now in an exile of his own making... It is such a shame because William and Harry with their wives were the ‘Fab Four’ and certainly for a time Harry and Meghan were ‘the golden couple’. They had everything."

The article is adapted from Mr Burrell's book The Royal Insider, which is released on Thursday September 11.