Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s married life was made that bit extra special with the arrival of their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, last week. The couple said I Do in a stunning ceremony at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. Yet an entire two years earlier, before their nuptials had even happened, it has transpired the Duke of Sussex received an unexpected honeymoon offer. Prince Harry, 34, was representing his grandmother, the Queen, 93, during an official excursion in Antigua in 2016.
Documenting the kind yet unexpected offer in his new book royal biographer Robert Hardman wrote: “For Prince Harry it (his eventual wedding announcement) also meant a welcome end to years of speculations, such as the excruciating if well-meaning remarks of the Prime Minister of Antigua, Gaston Browne, during the Prince’s 2016 visit.”
Quoting Gaston directly in his book, Queen of the World, Robert wrote: “‘I believe we are expecting a princess soon,’ the premier told the blushing Prince, long before any whiff of a royal engagement.
“‘You are very welcome to come on your honeymoon here.’”
The unexpected offer is not thought to have been taken up by Prince Charles’ son.
Yet it is likely he has his hands full after the arrival of his first tot with the former Suits actress, 36, last Monday.
Meanwhile, Robert also detailed the impact of Harry and Meghan’s engagement on the royal brand and diffusing Brexit issues.
He wrote: “Having an American princess on the palace balcony (even one who would take British citizenship in due course) could hardly be more timely at a moment when post-referendum (Brexit) Britain was being accused of succumbing to inward nationalistic urges.
“The monarchy was unquestionably looking outwards and welcoming the world – to the heart of the family.”
In addition, in a completely separate incident, Prince Harry’s close relationship with the Queen has been put under the spotlight.
It was revealed he called upon the UK’s longest-serving monarch for “counsel and advice” prior to his first royal tour.
In her new book, Katie Nicholl has told all about their close relationship, particularly prior to excursions.
In Harry: Life, Loss and Love, she wrote: “Eager to make his mark, Harry had asked to carry out a 10-day tour in March 2012 of Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica, followed by a trade mission to Brazil.
“The tour was not a guaranteed success from the outset.
“Jamaica had a republican prime minister who had recently called for independence from the British sovereign, and before Harry left, he violated his grandmother for some counsel and advice.
“He knew this was an opportunity to show a sober, more mature side to his personality.
“While he had travelled overseas previously to New York (twice) and to Barbados in the early part of 2010, ostensibly to raise money for Sentebale by playing polo, this was the first time he would officially be representing the Queen.”
