In a surprising turn of events, new details have emerged about the late Queen Elizabeth II's private concerns regarding the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018. These revelations, coming from royal author Ingrid Seward's latest book "My Mother and I," shed light on the complex dynamics within the royal family during what was publicly portrayed as a joyous occasion.

According to Seward, the late monarch harbored several reservations about key aspects of the ceremony, which was watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide. "The Queen was not comfortable with the Prince of Wales standing in for Meghan's father, Thomas Markle," Seward writes, referencing the last-minute change that saw then-Prince Charles walk Meghan down the aisle after her father's absence due to reported health issues.

This discomfort extended beyond the change in escort. The Queen was also "concerned about a 96-year-old Prince Philip walking down the aisle without a stick, having had a hip replacement only five weeks before," Seward notes. These worries underline the balancing act between tradition and modernity that the royal family often faces, particularly in high-profile events.

The decision for Charles to walk Meghan down the aisle came at Prince Harry's request, as he later revealed in the documentary "Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70." Harry recounted, "I asked him to, and I think he knew it was coming, and he immediately said, 'Yes, of course, I'll do whatever Meghan needs, and I'm here to support you.'" This willingness to adapt to the unexpected situation demonstrated Charles's support for the couple, despite the Queen's reported unease.

However, Meghan's response to Charles's offer added another layer of complexity to the situation. According to author Robert Hardman in his book "Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II," Meghan's reply was unexpected. "Can we meet halfway?" she reportedly asked, which Hardman interprets as an indication that "this was no blushing bride, but a confident, independent woman determined to make a grand entrance on her own."

The Queen's concerns weren't limited to the logistics of the ceremony. Seward's book also reveals that Elizabeth II had reservations about Meghan's wedding gown. "Lady Elizabeth told me that the Queen had made only one remark to her about Meghan and Harry's wedding, which was that the bride's Givenchy wedding gown was 'too white,'" Seward writes. "In the monarch's view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal."

This comment reflects the traditional views held by the Queen, who reigned for over 70 years and witnessed significant societal changes during her time on the throne. It also highlights the generational and cultural differences that may have contributed to later tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.

The wedding ceremony itself also presented elements that reportedly made the Queen uncomfortable. Seward mentions that Elizabeth II felt uneasy about the "long sermon" delivered by American Archbishop Michael Curry, which became one of the most talked-about aspects of the "modern royal wedding."

These revelations come against the backdrop of the subsequent estrangement between the Sussexes and the royal family. After their decision to step back from royal duties in early 2020, relations became strained. The Queen was reportedly "severely disappointed" by their departure, and the situation did not improve in the following years.

The complexity of the relationship was further highlighted after the Queen's death on September 8, 2022. In their Netflix documentary "Harry & Meghan," released later that year, Meghan was seen performing a mock curtsey, which some interpreted as a slight against her late grandmother-in-law.

As these new details emerge, they offer a more nuanced view of the events surrounding one of the most high-profile royal weddings in recent history. They also provide insight into the challenges faced by the monarchy in balancing tradition with the changing expectations of younger generations and a global audience.