Although the British royal family usually projects an image of sophistication and elegance, over the years several of its members have been spotted with a cigarette in hand.
From Prince Harry to Queen Camilla, some have had a closer relationship with tobacco than many would imagine.
However, smoking has been a touchy subject within the monarchy, especially because of the staunch opposition of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who witnessed the havoc that cigarettes wreaked on her family.
The Royals Smoking
The impact of smoking on British royals is not new. King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, died of lung cancer in 1952, a direct consequence of his addiction to tobacco.
Before him, other monarchs such as George V, Edward VII and Edward VIII also died of smoking-related illnesses.
This tragic history made smoking a frowned-upon habit within the royal family.
One of the most notorious cases was that of Princess Margaret, Elizabeth II’s sister. Known for her partying lifestyle and rebellious spirit, it is said that she smoked up to 60 cigarettes a day.
Although doctors and her own family advised her to quit, she resisted. Only when her health began to deteriorate in the 1980s did she cut her consumption in half.
Still, the damage was done: in 1985, she underwent lung surgery and her health continued to weaken until her death in 2002.
Prince Harry and his relationship with tobacco
Prince Harry also had his stint as an occasional smoker. During his youth, he was photographed on several occasions enjoying a cigar. However, he kicked the habit after marrying Meghan Markle in 2018.
According to close sources, Meghan was one of the main reasons he decided to stay away from smoking, as the couple wanted to start a family.
Despite quitting conventional cigarettes, Harry confessed in his book Spare that in 2020 he smoked marijuana while staying at actor Tyler Perry’s house in Los Angeles.
Meghan Markle and her past with tobacco
Although today Meghan Markle is a symbol of wellness and healthy living, in the past she was also seen smoking. In addition, it has been revealed that at her first wedding to Trevor Engelson in 2012, she organized a peculiar surprise for her guests: small bags with marijuana as part of the souvenirs of the celebration.
In leaked emails, Meghan commented that she had already purchased the little bags and that they would have a discreet message that said “shh.”
One attendee at the event mentioned that while Meghan was excited about handing out cannabis to guests, it seemed more like a gesture of fun than a regular practice.
Princess Eugenie and her youthful stoner days
In her youth, Princess Eugenie also experimented with smoking. In 2009, when she was 19 years old and in Australia during her gap year, she was seen smoking on several occasions.
Witnesses claimed that she took a pack of cigarettes out of her handbag and lit them in public. Although she did not appear to be a compulsive smoker, it was clear that this was not just an occasional practice.
Eventually, Eugenie kicked the habit and today leads a healthier lifestyle.
Queen Camilla and her fight against cigarettes
Another royal figure who had a strong relationship with tobacco was Queen Camilla. It is said that in her prime she smoked up to 40 cigarettes a day, a habit she tried to keep secret.
According to writer Tina Brown, Camilla enjoyed tobacco so much that she would go so far as to sneak a smoke down the chimney to avoid being discovered by the then Prince Charles.
For years, her home was equipped with silver boxes full of cigarettes in every room, ready for whenever she felt like lighting up. In 2001, however, she decided to quit smoking.
Prince Philip’s sacrifice
Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was a heavy smoker in his youth. However, he decided to quit smoking cold turkey on his wedding day in 1947.
The reason behind this decision was his wife, who had seen firsthand the impact of smoking on her father’s health and did not want her husband to suffer the same fate.