Late Queen’s unprecedented offer to Meghan Markle to make her happy in Royal Family

When Queen Elizabeth II first met Meghan Markle, she immediately recognized her as someone special. Meghan was a successful actress and an active charity campaigner even before she became romantically involved with Prince Harry. According to royal insiders, the Queen quickly saw how Meghan’s unique qualities could benefit the Royal Family. To make sure Meghan felt comfortable and happy within the royal fold, the Queen made an unprecedented offer.

Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, revealed that the late monarch was exceptionally kind and gracious toward Meghan. Speaking to *Mirror US*, Burrell explained that the Queen even told Meghan she could continue acting if she wished, saying, “You can continue acting if you like, continue your career.” However, Meghan chose not to take the Queen up on her offer. Instead, she decided to dedicate herself fully to her new role as a working royal. During her engagement interview, Meghan elaborated on her decision, stating that she didn’t see it as giving up her career, but rather as a new chapter in her life. She emphasized that she had been fortunate to work on her show *Suits* for seven years, reaching a milestone of 100 episodes. Feeling proud of her accomplishments, Meghan decided it was time to focus on working alongside Harry, as a team.

Meghan’s short time as a working royal left a strong impression. Just a few months after her wedding to Prince Harry, her first royal patronages were announced. Significantly, these roles aligned with her passions and areas of expertise. Two of these patronages—the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities—were personally assigned to her by the Queen. Meghan also chose two charities that represented her values: Smart Works, which focused on helping women, and Mayhew, which supported animal welfare.

Burrell, reflecting on the situation, believes that the Queen’s offer to Meghan was a testament to how much the monarch valued Meghan and Harry as members of the Royal Family. He also expressed disappointment in how things ultimately unfolded, feeling that the couple didn’t fully appreciate the generous opportunities extended to them. Burrell remarked, “It’s mind-boggling the amount of goodwill which Meghan and Harry have thrown away.” He believes that the Queen was deeply affected by Harry and Meghan’s decision to step away from royal duties. According to Burrell, the Queen had hoped that Harry would remain within the family and did her best to persuade both of them to stay.

Meghan Markle’s decision to step away from her acting career to take on royal duties was seen as a significant transition. Having already achieved personal and professional success before meeting Harry, she had built a reputation as a talented actress and committed philanthropist. Her role in *Suits*, where she portrayed the character Rachel Zane, had earned her recognition and admiration. However, Meghan was ready for a new challenge when she joined the Royal Family, a role that would bring both opportunities and challenges.

Meghan’s patronages reflected her continued commitment to causes she cared deeply about. The National Theatre allowed her to remain connected to her artistic roots, while the Association of Commonwealth Universities aligned with her belief in education’s transformative power. Smart Works, a charity that provides professional attire and coaching to women seeking employment, resonated with Meghan’s advocacy for gender equality. Mayhew, a charity focused on animal welfare, also allowed her to support causes close to her heart.

In Burrell’s view, Meghan and Harry’s departure from royal life was a blow to the Queen. He argues that the Queen’s heartfelt attempts to accommodate Meghan, including allowing her to continue her acting career, were signs of how much she wanted them to succeed within the Royal Family. However, their decision to step away left a gap in the Queen’s vision for the future, particularly in her hopes for Harry.