As the British monarchy prepares to celebrate King Charles III's 75th birthday on November 14, the absence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looms large, casting a shadow over the festivities. Despite the King's open-hearted invitations, the Duke of Sussex's strained relationship with the royal family suggests he is unlikely to attend.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams remarked on the deep-seated animosity, "It could certainly take years for a reconciliation to happen between Prince Harry and the royal family." This sentiment echoes through the halls of Buckingham Palace as the Sussexes have a history of declining royal invitations, often with timing that disrupts royal plans and ceremonies.
The Duke of Sussex's recent actions, such as releasing a comedy video coinciding with King Charles' first speech opening Parliament as monarch, have been interpreted as attempts to upstage the royal family. This move was particularly pointed as it also overshadowed Prince William's activities in Singapore on the same day.
Insiders close to the Sussexes have indicated that there has been "no contact regarding an invitation" for Harry's presence at his father's birthday. Speculation abounds that Harry's bitterness may stem from being denied residence at Windsor Castle or another royal home in London.
Despite these tensions, it is believed that King Charles still maintains communication with his son, a testament to his enduring paternal love. A source close to Buckingham Palace shared, "There are issues that aren’t resolved, and there won’t be a rapprochement any time soon. But that doesn’t change the King’s love for his son. He’ll never not invite his son to a family gathering, because that’s not who he is."
The royal family is currently in a "cooling-off period" following the aftershocks of Prince Harry's revealing book and interviews. The path to healing these rifts remains unclear, with the monarchy and the Sussexes navigating a complex web of public duty and personal grievances.
As the monarchy gears up for the celebration, the question of whether Prince Harry will take part remains unanswered. The Duke's recent absence from royal events, including his father's historic coronation, and the Duchess of Sussex's absence from the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, have only intensified the speculation.
The royal family, known for its stoicism and adherence to tradition, faces a modern challenge in bridging the gap with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. With the world watching, the monarchy's next steps will be scrutinized for signs of reconciliation or further division.
In the end, the royal family's dynamics continue to captivate the public imagination, as the balance between personal autonomy and royal protocol remains a delicate dance for Prince Harry and the institution he was born into.