In a move that has sparked intrigue among royal watchers, King Charles III's decision to include Prince Andrew in the 2023 Christmas Day celebrations at Sandringham may have carried a deeper significance beyond mere family unity. Royal experts suggest that this gesture was not just about Andrew, but rather a subtle message from the King to Prince William regarding his estranged brother, Prince Harry.
Robert Jobson, author of "Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The biography," posited in the Daily Mail that the King's invitation to Andrew might be interpreted as a lesson in forgiveness. "Perhaps the King is subliminally trying to show William forgiving one's brother and giving him a second chance is a strength, not a weakness," Jobson wrote. However, he added, "Prince William disagrees – and as for his own brother, as far as he is concerned there is no way back."
The Christmas Day appearance of Prince Andrew, walking alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, marked a significant moment. It was Ferguson's first Christmas appearance with the royal family in 30 years, despite her reportedly being a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. This public display of family unity, despite Andrew's recent controversies, has been seen as a potential olive branch extended by the King.
The context of this gesture is crucial, given the ongoing rift between Prince William and Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex, along with his wife Meghan Markle, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California. Their subsequent actions, including a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix documentary series, and Harry's tell-all memoir "Spare," have reportedly deepened the divide between the brothers.
Speculation had arisen prior to Christmas 2023 that the Sussexes might be invited to Sandringham for the festive period, following what was described as a "warm" phone call between Harry and his father in November for the King's birthday. However, this did not materialize, and reports suggest that Harry felt "irritated" upon seeing his uncle, Prince Andrew, included in the televised broadcast of the Sandringham walkabout.
The complexity of the situation is further highlighted by recent reports about Meghan Markle's reluctance to return to the UK. An insider told Closer magazine, "She's respectful that Harry has to go back to his home for practical and emotional reasons, but that doesn't mean she's going to go with him." The source cited Meghan's commitments to her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and a rumored Netflix cooking show as reasons for her hesitation, along with fears of public criticism.
Body language experts have also weighed in on the brothers' relationship. Judi James, analyzing footage from a 2022 service of thanksgiving for the late Queen, noted that William gave Harry "the opposite of an acknowledgement" and a "barrier gesture" during this rare joint appearance.