As the British royal family celebrated Trooping the Colour with a show of unity, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were noticeably absent, remaining in California. This stark contrast highlights the ongoing rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, with experts urging the couple to accept the new status quo.

"The royal family put on a united front at Trooping the Colour, clearly demonstrating that they are very united without Harry and Meghan," said royal expert Russell Myers on Sky News Australia. "If the Sussexes want to mend their relationship with the rest of the royals, they need to stop trashing them and making money off their associations."

The couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are growing up far from their British roots, which Meghan reportedly finds troubling. "Meghan misses some aspects of life in the U.K. and worries that her children will blame her if they never get to see their cousins," said royal commentator Tom Quinn. "She fears they might feel deprived of a meaningful existence in the U.K. as adults."

Jennie Bond, another royal commentator, expressed hope that the Sussexes would reconcile with the royal family for the sake of their children. "Imagine Archie, aged 15, telling his friends, 'My grandpa was King! And my uncle is King too.' But he hardly knew or met them. How sad," Bond explained. "Meghan would have to bear the responsibility for that. Like Harry, she wants the best for their children, which includes an understanding of their background."

Bond continued, "I hope that by the time Archie and Lili grow up, things will be calmer, and the family more united, even if they continue to live thousands of miles apart. This is not the children's fault or responsibility, so let's hope the adults can make it a better world for the next generation of royals."

In a 2023 lawsuit against the Home Office, Harry expressed his desire for his children to know about their British heritage. "It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020. The U.K. is my home," Harry stated in his December court witness statement. "The U.K. is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the U.S."

Despite losing his fight for security, Harry stressed the importance of safety for his family during any visits to the U.K. "I cannot put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too," he added.

The Trooping the Colour event underscored the royal family's focus on King Charles and Kate Middleton's health, reinforcing their united front. As the Sussexes navigate their lives in the U.S., the hope is that they will find a way to mend fences with the royal family for the benefit of their children and future generations.

Experts agree that if Harry and Meghan want a relationship with the royal family, they need to adjust their approach. "They need to take the steam out of their relationship and the things they say sometimes," Myers concluded. The couple's public criticism and media ventures have strained their ties with the royal family, and a change in strategy could help bridge the divide.