Inside the special bond between Prince Harry and the Queen

The length and tone of the Queen and Prince Harry’s one-on-one meeting shows just how deep their relationship really runs.

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There is an inherent sadness behind last Sunday’s heart-to-heart between the Queen and Prince Harry, which I detailed in The Sun earlier this week.

Partly because the four-hour, love-filled lunch over poached salmon and salad went so well.

Contrary to the belief of some royal commentators, the monarch is not overly concerned about not getting to see baby Archie, who will remain in Canada during Meghan’s return to the UK and for the foreseeable future.

She is surrounded by great-grandchildren and various other babies who she gets to see quite enough of.

Harry and Meghan show off Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Picture: Chris Allerton / Sussexroyal/AFP

But Her Majesty is deeply saddened about the loss of Harry as a regular fixture in her life.

The length and tone of their first one-on-one since the Megxit summit shows just how deep the relationship between the Queen and Harry really runs.

She enjoys his company and the way they openly chat about life away from duty.

Perhaps the unbreakable bond was created that terrible week in the summer of 1997, when she put her reign at threat by insisting she would stay at Balmoral with “the boys” as they grieved for their mum.

Or maybe it’s because she sees something of her beloved sister Princess Margaret in Harry, an irrepressible spare who never quite managed to cope with having to live in the constant shadow of their older sibling.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry in 1988. Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images

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However it developed, the Queen does not spend that amount of time chatting happily and lovingly to just anyone – especially, as The Sun’s great royal photographer Arthur Edwards pointed out to me, when racing is on.

What makes the Sussexes’ departure to Canada particularly difficult is that the Queen tried so hard to make them feel at home at Windsor, moving mountains behind the scenes to get the young family into the beautifully renovated Frogmore Cottage, providing them access to her team of chefs and even popping around as often as possible for tea. But the Queen is nothing if not practical.

She has learned the lessons of the unedifying exits of Princess Diana and the Duchess of York from The Firm and won’t make the same mistake this time.

Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the RAF fly-past on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2018. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

That’s why she quite beautifully told Harry: “You are much loved and will always be welcomed back.” It is a line that brings tears to the eyes of a soppy old monarchist like me.

The Queen has not accepted that Megxit is permanent and probably never will. Harry needs some time away to explore and live a life where he isn’t playing second fiddle to his father – with whom relations remain strained – and brother.

Duty and the love of his country might just pull him back soon, she hopes.

But perhaps the Queen hasn’t factored in the persuasiveness and passion of Meghan, a truly modern woman with very different plans for her husband and their “brand”.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaving St George’s Chapel last year. Picture: Steve Parsons/AFP

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission