Prince Harry is facing renewed criticism for allegedly ignoring family concerns and rushing into his marriage with Meghan Markle, according to royal insiders. The Duke of Sussex, who wed Meghan in a high-profile royal ceremony in 2018, reportedly bypassed cautionary advice from his brother, Prince William, and other senior family members, who believed he was moving too fast.
Speaking on Palace Confidential, Daily Mail royal editor Rebecca English revealed new insights from sources close to the Royal Family. She claimed that many relatives, including William, had “strong reservations” about how quickly the relationship was progressing.
“I know from my own sources that there were strong reservations,” English explained. “They felt, all of the family felt that Harry was rushing into this too quickly and needed, as we now know, William memorably said to him—‘Maybe you just need to take a little bit of time to get to know this woman and plan your future more.’”
Despite these warnings, Harry remained firm in his decision. English noted that the prince was eager to settle down and start a family, suggesting that his emotions played a strong role in his choices. “But he was so desperate to settle down and start a family, and he, as a person, fell in love very quickly, that he just didn’t want to do that,” she added.
Prince Harry and Meghan officially stepped back from royal duties in early 2020, a move that shocked the monarchy and drew global attention. The couple relocated to California, where they now reside with their two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Since their departure, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken openly about their struggles within the Royal Family. In a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey, they alleged that racism and a lack of support from the institution played a major role in their decision to leave.
The couple’s revelations sparked both international sympathy and intense backlash, further straining their relationship with the monarchy. While Prince Harry has insisted that his choices were made with his family’s well-being in mind, critics argue that ignoring advice from senior royals may have deepened existing tensions within the Firm.
As the Sussexes continue to build their life outside of royal duties, questions about the early days of their relationship—and the warnings that went unheeded—remain a point of contention in royal circles.