Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Trending Pants
    • DIY Facials
    • The Two-Tone Shoe Revival
    • Burberry
    • 'Traitors: New Blood'
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    The Queen Sees Prince Harry as a "Prodigal Son" Who Is Always Welcome Back as a Working Royal, Expert Says

    "She's very loathed to criticize anything he's doing."

    By Kayleigh Roberts
    Published 26 April 2020 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Queen Elizabeth smiles as Prince Harry leans in towards her.
    (Image credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    • This year, royal fans were shocked by news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were stepping back from their roles as senior working members of the royal family.
    • According to royal expert Ingrid Seward, Queen Elizabeth II sees Harry as a "prodigal son" and she will "welcome him home with open arms" if he changes his mind about his royal exit.
    • Seward also says that it's unlikely the Queen will ever criticize Harry and Meghan's decision, even privately with other members of the royal family.

    Prince Harry stepped back from his role as a working, senior royal this year—but that decision doesn't have to be permanent.

    In an interview with Sky News this week, Majesty magazine Editor-in-Chief Ingrid Seward weighed in on Harry's royal exit—and how the Queen really feels about it behind-the-scenes.

    "I think she's looking at Harry like the prodigal son, that he will come home and she will welcome him home with open arms," Seward explained, according to The Sun. "I think she's very loathed to criticize anything he's doing."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    And, according to Seward, that "no criticism" policy would extend to other members of the royal family, as well as the press and the public.

    "Privately, she might feel very sad about it but she will never ever comment on it, even probably to her family," Seward said. "She would keep her feelings very much to herself."

    You may like
    • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sitting next to each other in black outfits Harry and Meghan's U.K. Move Suggests "Half-in, Half-Out" Life
    • Queen Camilla turned to the side wearing a green dress Queen Camilla's Friend Shares Her Philosophy on Prince Harry Relationship
    • Prince William and Prince Harry standing back to back Prince Harry's Move Will Make it Hard for William to "Duck a Reconciliation"

    For now at least, Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are reportedly very happy with their decision to step back from royal life.


    For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    subscribe here

    Related Stories

    Marie Claire logo

    (Image credit: Marie Claire)

    Harry & Meghan's Press Boycott Surprised the Queen

    Marie Claire logo

    (Image credit: Marie Claire)

    Harry & Meghan Haven't Had Any Visitors in LA

    Explore More
    Prince Harry
    Kayleigh Roberts
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

    Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

    Read more
    Prince WIlliam walking next to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
    Royals Royal Expert Claims William and Harry Can't Avoid Each Other Forever
    By Kristin Contino
    Meghan Markle wears a white dress with a matching hat, while Prince Harry and King Charles wears suits and top hats at Royal Ascot in 2018
    Royals Charles Reveals His Position on Harry and Meghan's Return
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Prince Harry smiling in front of a step and repeat
    Royals Royal Fans Hope Prince Harry "Reunites With" One Relative
    By Amy Mackelden
    Prince William and King Charles talking in blue suits
    Royals King Charles and Prince William Are "In Sync" About One Matter With Prince Harry
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Princess Diana wearing a blue dress and smiling
    Royals The Mystery Behind Princess Diana's Dis-Moi Oui Ring From Dodi Fayed
    Queen Elizabeth shaking hands with two chefs
    Royals Former Chef Reveals One Innocent Trick Staff Would Play on Queen Elizabeth
     
     
    King Haakon and family carrying Princess Astrid's coffin at her funeral
    Royals One British Royal Left a Touching Tribute at Princess Astrid's Funeral
    Princess Kate laughing in a purple gown with Tom Cruise standing behind her
    Royals Princess Kate's Amethyst Necklace Moment Takes a "Different Kind of Confidence"
     
     
    Latest in News
    Princess Diana wearing a blue dress and smiling
    Royals The Mystery Behind Princess Diana's Dis-Moi Oui Ring From Dodi Fayed
    Madelyn Cline arrived at Milan Fashion Week in Adidas's Mary Jane sneakers and a Chanel Maxi Flap Bag
    Celebrity Style Madelyn Cline Pairs Adidas Hybrid Sneakers With a Chanel Bag for a High-Low Look
     
     
    Queen Elizabeth shaking hands with two chefs
    Royals Former Chef Reveals One Innocent Trick Staff Would Play on Queen Elizabeth
    Jennifer Lawrence styled a brown suede coat with The Row Margaux Bag and white Dior sneakers
    Celebrity Style Jennifer Lawrence's It Shoe Collection Welcomes Her Slimmest Dior Sneakers Yet
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.