Queen Elizabeth's devastating eight-word response to Prince Harry's royal exit

Queen Elizabeth was reportedly left "very hurt" and "exhausted" by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back as working members of the Royal Family, it has been claimed.

The Queen's feelings were encapsulated in a simple yet devastating eight-word response when she told a Royal insider: "I don't want to think about it anymore."

In the upcoming book 'The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown', a source close to the Firm provided an insight into the late Queen's "turmoil" over events at the time .

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An excerpt from the book was published in Vanity Fair, where the insider revealed: " She was very hurt and told me, 'I don't know, I don't care, and I don't want to think about it anymore'."

The book was penned by Royal expert and correspondent Katie Nicholl, who also suggested that the late Queen was upset that she did not get to spend more time with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Ms Nicholl wrote about Her Late Majesty's disappointment that Harry and Meghan did not bring their children to Balmoral in August for a sleepover.

The author noted: "It was a source of sadness to the Queen that she got to see so little of Archie and Lilibet and that Harry and Meghan were not able to join her for a weekend at Balmoral in August when the Queen used to host a 'sleepover' for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

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Her Majesty the Queen only had one opportunity to meet baby Lilibet, when the Sussexes visited the UK in June 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee. Three months later, the Queen passed away at her beloved Balmoral.

Current reigning King Charles is rumoured to have an eagerness to mend fences with Harry and Meghan, particularly with the aim of getting to know his youngest grandchildren better.

In a close conversation with The Independent, a Royal insider shared: "He is hurt and disappointed but he has always said his love for Harry is unconditional."

When it came to light that Charles had been dealt a cancer diagnoses back in February, Harry jetted over to the UK for a quick visit, stirring optimism that reconciliation might be possible.

Nonetheless, during Harry's most recent visit to Britain in May for the Invictus Games' 10th anniversary service in London, he didn't manage to cross paths with any members of his Royal family.

Regrettably, schedules clashed, as King Charles and various other senior royals had already committed to a garden party at Buckingham Palace occurring on the same day.

Yet, it subsequently came out that Harry was offered accommodation at a Royal residence, which he declined in favour of hotel stay, citing security concerns.