Prince Harry's Coronation Challenge: Former Royal Butler Predicts Chilly Reception Amid Unforgiving Windsors
Prince Harry may face difficulties at the Coronation as former royal butler Paul Burrell suggests the Windsors "don't forgive." This event will mark Harry's first public appearance with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate, and the rest of his family since the release of his controversial memoir, Spare.
In addition, this will be the first time Harry has been seen with the Windsors since his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth's funeral. In Spare, he criticized Charles' parenting, claimed the King was envious of Meghan and Kate, and accused William of physically assaulting him. He also described Camilla as "dangerous" and claimed she used him for her "personal PR."
Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that Harry would attend the Coronation, while Meghan would remain in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Coronation coincides with Archie's fourth birthday on May 6.
Burrell, who served as Princess Diana's former butler and was also criticized in Spare, believes Harry's royal relatives will give him a "cold" reception. He said, "Harry's got a problem because he’s going to have to sit amongst family who he’s pushed under the bus and criticized and what kind of reception is he going to get? A very cold and icy one because the Windsors don’t forgive, they do hold a grudge."
Burrell noted that the family tends to push nonconformists to the margins, and Harry should adhere to the King's rules. "It's the least he could’ve done, to do his father a favor and come to the coronation, even if he is by himself," he added.
Regarding Meghan's decision to stay in California, Burrell said, "She's got a birthday on the weekend of the coronation, so she’s going to have to stay behind, isn't she."
Burrell, speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, also expressed sympathy for King Charles, who now faces the same challenges as the late Queen in balancing family and the people's expectations. "When you're monarch, you really have to put the people first, and this is going to be a hard lesson for the King, and he's not had this problem in the past because he hasn't been monarch, but now the weight is fully on his shoulders," he said.