A Royal Reconciliation May Happen Between Charles, Harry & Meghan After ‘Tremendous Flickers Of Hope’

Oct 04, 2022 by apost team

Following the death of Prince Philip in April 2021, it was believed his son, King Charles III, might possibly leave out one of his sons and daughter-in-law in his future monarchy plans. When Queen Elizabeth II became a widow, Charles took on more responsibility to help relieve her of some of her roles, and it was reported that his plans seemed to leave out both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

However, since the reunion of so many members of the royal family following Elizabeth's passing, it is now believed the king’s heart may have softened — and Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, may again find a place for themselves in the palace.

According to royal biographer Angela Levin, Charles planned to “ditch” Harry and Meghan from the royal family, as she addressed the “long-held plan to cut the size of the firm down” with talkRADIO in 2021. She also explained how Charles and the late queen seemed to have different ideas on what to do regarding the future of the royal family.

“Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they got from the taxpayer,” Levin said. She followed up with her own thoughts on what that meant for Charles’ future plans. "I imagine that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the royal family," she said.

Charles and his son have had a rough relationship over the years, especially since Harry and Meghan’s big move to the United States in March 2020. The pair have since had two children together. Although the queen and her son also had their differences, now that he is king, Charles is the one making the calls. 

After Queen Elizabeth's passing, hopes for reconciliation still appeared dim for the Sussexes. After their dramatic exit as working royals, Prince Harry and Meghan released their controversial, tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. During the television special, the couple openly criticized the royal family and its culture. They talked about various topics including how some family members worried about the color of their then-unborn son’s skin, Harry’s estrangement from his father and Meghan’s very dark, depressing thoughts.

The relationship between Harry and his father King Charles III hadn't appeared particularly close in the past but the interview all but confirmed it. 

According to Express UK, Charles was reported to be "very hurt" following the interview in March 2021, and to assuage the hurt and work with the family during the difficult time of the funeral, Harry wrote his father a "deeply personal" letter.

Following the controversial interview with Winfrey, Metro UK reported that Harry's relationship with his father hit "rock bottom" after a "complete communication breakdown." Charles was upset after the two-hour special aired, especially because Harry accused Charles of no longer taking his calls. As per the news outlet, sources claim that Harry was "forced to write letters" to his father because of the lack of communication. 

The Sussexes also appeared to have been demoted on the royal family website, taking spots in second- and third-to-last places above only Prince Andrew and under the lesser known Princess Alexandra and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. Previously, they featured in the middle of the page, after senior royals.

apost.com

However, Harry’s return to London for the queen’s funeral rites afforded him and his father some quality time that appears to have not been in vain. 

As the queen’s remains laid in state at Westminster Hall, King Charles gave Harry special permission to don his military attire for a vigil, something only a working royal should be allowed to do. Many interpreted this as an olive branch of sorts, and a precursor to the possibility of Harry and Charles putting the past behind them. 

This was backed up by a royal family source who told The Telegraph the time Harry and Charles spent together following the queen’s passing boosted their relationship.

“Over the last 16 days or so, there were tremendous flickers of hope. In terms of the future, there is hope of a cause for unity,” the insider told the outlet.

It has yet to be seen what this “unity” could entail, whether that be bringing back the Sussexes as full- or part-time working royals. In any case, only time will tell whether Charles and Harry's historically rocky relationship could have a hand in the king's final decision as to whether to include his son and daughter-in-law in his monarchy plans. 

Another hint could lie in Charles’s first televised speech as king, in which he lauded his firstborn son Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, as well as expressed his “love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”

In any case, no official changes have yet been announced but The Telegraph’s source remained positive that one key factor has not changed, as they said: 

“It remains the case that the King loves both of his children.” 

Do you think the rift between King Charles III and his son Prince Harry can be mended? Do Prince Harry and Meghan Markle deserve to return to the firm and reclaim their status as working royals? Let us know and don’t forget to pass this along to friends and family.