Paul Burrell, Princess Diana's former butler, said on behalf of Casino Org: "She [Queen Elizabeth] wanted Harry to stay as close to her as possible.

"But that couldn't be because the American in the equation wanted a different solution. Meghan wanted change.

"The Queen herself tried to bend all the rules for Meghan. She tried to keep her within the fold, knowing that the institution could protect her better than she could be protected in the outside world."

Mr Burrell said the late monarch wanted Harry and Meghan to stay "on the right path," adding: "I didn't want them to leave either. I thought they were a breath of fresh air, a force for good, and would do great work for the Royal Family and on behalf of the Royal Family."

Despite the Sussexes' ongoing feud with the Royal Family and their claims against the Firm, the couple has always had positive things to say about the late monarch.

During their infamous Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021, Meghan said about the late Queen: "The Queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me. I mean, we had one of our first joint engagements together.

"She asked me to join her. We had breakfast together that morning, and she'd given me a beautiful gift, and I just really loved being in her company. She gave me beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace. And we were in the car going between engagements, and she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth.

"And it was chilly, and she was like, 'Meghan, come on' and put it over my knees as well...it made me think of my grandmother, where she's always been warm and inviting and really welcoming."