The Queen just showed a subtle display of support for Meghan and Harry
The first few weeks of 2020 were pretty much dominated by 'the royal crisis', after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their plans to step down as senior members of the royal family. But since Harry's negotiations with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William concluded - and he flew to Canada to be with his wife and son, Archie - it seems to have all calmed down a little.
Despite his relocation, it seems that Harry is still at the forefront of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth's mind, however. On Sunday morning the monarch attended church in Sandringham, and she appeared to make a subtle - but incredibly sweet - display of support for her grandson and his family.
The Queen wore a pastel blue coat with matching hat to the service, but the most notable thing about the 93-year-old royal's outfit was what she chose to accessorise it with. On the left-hand breast of her jacket was a jewelled snowflake brooch, which just so happened to have been given to her as a gift by the former Governor-General of Canada, David Johnston, to mark her 65th year on the throne. Canada is, of course, particularly significant to the royals now that Harry and Meghan are choosing to build a life over there.
In their initial Instagram statement announcing their plans to "carve out a progressive new role" within the institution of the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also revealed they plan to balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America. It later became clear that by North America, the couple meant Canada; Meghan flew back to Archie in Vancouver Island the day after the bombshell was dropped over here, and Harry joined them almost a fortnight later. It's thought the Sussexes will settle in the country - perhaps in Toronto as opposed to Vancouver - while continuing to maintain Frogmore House in Windsor as their official UK residence.
By the Queen choosing to wear an accessory with Canadian significance, it's thought she may be sending a message of solidarity to her grandson, Prince Harry, and his family for the choice they have made.
The brooch is made up of 48 rare Canadian sapphires, as well as numerous diamonds, and was gifted to the monarch on behalf of the Canadian people back in 2017.
In her official statement announcing what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's futures will look like in regards to the royal family, Queen Elizabeth described having found "a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family".
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family," continued the monarch. "I recognised the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life. I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.
"It is my whole family's hope that today's agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life."
If the Canadian brooch is anything to go by, it seems the Queen is truly living up to her promise to support Meghan and Harry's wish for a more independent life. Here's hoping their fresh start in Canada is giving them all the peace and privacy they had hoped for.
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