In most families, happy news is met with celebration and warm wishes from elders. But for Prince Harry, his announcement of engagement to American actress Meghan Markle triggered unexpected resistance from within the royal family itself, particularly from his grandfather Prince Philip.
The Shocking Royal Warning
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed their engagement plans in November 2017, the news should have been met with universal joy. Instead, according to historian Andrew Lownie's biography, Prince Philip reacted with surprising bluntness. The late Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, reportedly warned his grandson with the cutting remark: "One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them."
This stunning revelation first emerged in The Sunday Times in 2019 and has been further detailed in Lownie's 2025 book about Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The comment reflected the traditional mindset within royal circles about appropriate matches for princes.
Brotherly Concerns and Family Tensions
Prince Philip wasn't the only royal expressing reservations about the speed of Harry and Meghan's relationship. In 2019, sources revealed to PEOPLE magazine that Prince William had also cautioned his younger brother about moving too quickly into marriage.
The contrast between the brothers' courtship periods was striking. William had dated his college sweetheart, Kate Middleton, for eight years before their royal wedding in 2011. Harry and Meghan's relationship progressed much faster, with their engagement coming just over a year after their romance became public knowledge.
In his controversial 2023 memoir 'Spare', Harry clarified that while William never directly tried to stop the marriage, tensions existed. He wrote that William insulted Meghan after they were married, though he specified his brother didn't attempt to dissuade him from the union itself.
From Royal Wedding to California Life
Despite the family concerns, Harry and Meghan proceeded with their wedding in 2018, creating a global spectacle that blended traditional royal elements with modern touches reflecting Meghan's background.
The couple's relationship with the royal family continued to face challenges, culminating in their 2020 decision to step back from royal duties and titles. They made a dramatic move across the Atlantic, establishing their new home in Montecito, California.
Today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are building their life outside the royal framework, raising their two children - Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4 - while pursuing independent projects and speaking out about their royal experiences.
The initial warning from Prince Philip, who passed away in 2021, now stands as a poignant moment in the couple's journey - representing the traditional royal values they ultimately chose to leave behind in pursuit of personal happiness and autonomy.
