THE Queen is said to have been relieved that Meghan Markle could not attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, according to a new book.

Biographer Tom Bower’s latest book “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors” is being serialised in the Times and Sunday Times and includes controversial claims about the Royal Family.

An extract published in yesterday’s paper, citing unnamed sources, suggests the Queen was pleased that the Duchess of Sussex - then seven months pregnant, would not be attending her husband’s funeral on April 17 last year.

The book states: “‘Thank goodness Meghan is not coming,’ the monarch said in a clear voice to her trusted aides.”

Although Buckingham Palace, which does not comment on individual books, declined to comment on the story, sources close to the Queen questioned whether she would have anything other than Phillip on her mind on the day of the funeral.

Mr Bower also claims that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a “demand to appear with the Queen on Buckingham Palace’s balcony” during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last month, which the book alleges the Prince of Wales opposed.

Clarence House also declined to comment on the book.

The book states: “Festering was their (Harry and Meghan’s) fury that the palace had refused all of their demands for a prominent role at the Jubilee.

“In Meghan’s view, those optics were unsatisfactory, partly because her value to Netflix was to stand near the Queen.”

Harry and Meghan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The couple did join other members of the Royal Family at Trooping the Colour and for a service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s 70-year reign at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Mr Bower’s previous unauthorised biographies have featured Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, Prince Charles and Tony Blair.