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Meghan Markle, King Charles and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 © Getty

Prince Harry reveals King Charles' 'boyish' reaction to Meghan Markle ahead of wedding

The Duke of Sussex revealed the monarch's special bond with his wife

Nichola Murphy
Deputy Lifestyle Editor
May 4, 2023
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Amidst all of Prince Harry's confessions about Meghan Markle joining the royal family, his comments on his father King Charles' "boyish" reaction to his wife is arguably the most surprising.

The Duke of Sussex revealed in his book Spare that he sat down with his wife-to-be and his father at Charles and Camilla's royal residence Clarence House ahead of their nuptials in May 2018 to discuss music options. Harry recalled how Charles used his "wireless" to play different types of songs that could be used for the ceremony, and both Charles and Meghan's love of classical music is what bonded them.

"He wholly endorsed our desire to have an orchestra rather than an organist, and he played an assortment of orchestras to get us in the mood," he began. Harry went on to explain that the monarch loves Beethoven while Meghan took a liking to Chopin after his music helped soothe her pet dogs Guy and Bogart when she was living in Canada and filming Suits.

Meghan Markle walks up the aisle with King Charles at St George's Chapel© Getty
Meghan Markle bonded with King Charles ahead of her royal wedding at St George's Chapel

Harry added of Charles: "He was airy, witty, charming, and I kept shaking my head in amazement. I knew Pa loved music, but I never knew he loved it this much.

"Meg evoked so much in him, qualities I’d rarely seen. In her presence Pa became boyish. I saw it, saw the bond between them growing stronger, and I felt strengthened in my own bond with him. 

"So many people were treating her shabbily, it filled my heart to see my father treating her like the princess she was about to – maybe born to – become," he added. 

Meanwhile, he has claimed that Meghan's relationship with his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Princess Kate was not as smooth-sailing. During his first televised interview to promote Spare, the Duke confirmed that his brother never tried to "dissuade" him from starting a life with the American actress but he had "concerns."

Prince Harry kisses his wife Meghan Markle following their royal wedding© Getty
Prince Harry made the wedding confession in his book Spare

"No, he never tried to dissuade me from marrying Meghan," he confirmed to ITV journalist Tom Bradby. "But he aired some concerns, and said, 'This is going to be really hard for you.'

"And still to this day, I don't truly understand which part of what he was talking about. Maybe he predicted what the British press' reaction was going to be."

Harry also claimed that the Prince of Wales recommended avoiding Westminster Abbey, where he married Princess Kate in 2011, and St Paul's Cathedral, where King Charles married their mother Princess Diana in 1981.

WATCH: Meghan Markle kisses King Charles in sweet behind-the-scenes wedding moment

The couple settled on St George's Chapel for their wedding venue, and they exchanged vows on 19 May 2018 in front of celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Elton John and Priyanka Chopra. They went on to enjoy a lunchtime reception at Windsor Castle hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II, where they had chosen to incorporate an American tradition and asked couples to sit together during the meal.

However, William and Kate's table was the only one that failed to follow suit, as Harry stated that they changed the place cards at the last minute in order to ensure spouses were seated separately.

SEE: Prince Harry's ex Chelsy Davy is a golden goddess in slinky bridesmaid dress

FIND OUT: Prince Harry's surprising comments on Princess Margaret's 'doomed' marriage behind closed doors

Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel watched by royals including Queen Elizabeth II, the Princess Royal, and the Prince of Wales© Getty
The Duchess of Sussex dances during her royal tour of South Africa in 2019© Getty
King Charles took part in traditional Mexican clog dancing in 2014© Getty
King Charles reportedly loves Beethoven. (Pictured taking part in traditional Mexican clog dancing in 2014)

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