King Charles is reportedly trying to maintain contact with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle without creating the impression that the monarchy is yielding to the couple after years of public tension.
Royal historian Andrew Lownie told the Daily Mail that the Sussexes have placed the royal family in a difficult position. He said rejecting them too strongly could fuel perceptions of hostility, while being overly accommodating could make Charles appear to be “giving in” to Harry and Meghan.
KEY POINT
- Charles is reportedly maintaining a relationship with Harry and his children while treating the Sussexes as private citizens.
- Andrew Lownie compared the dilemma with the historic consequences of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson’s separation from Britain.
- Prince William is reported to have adopted a considerably firmer approach toward his brother and sister in law.
The King’s reported approach has been to keep the possibility of reconciliation open without restoring Harry and Meghan to their former position within the monarchy.
That distinction became particularly visible when Charles hosted the Sussex family at Highgrove House in July. Buckingham Palace described the gathering as a private family occasion, and the meeting reportedly marked the first time Charles had seen Archie and Lilibet in person in more than four years.
Charles has also reportedly shown support for Harry’s charitable activities. The Daily Mail reported that the King’s private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, contacted Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, after a dispute involving the Invictus Games. Uganda subsequently returned to the event.
Lownie believes Charles is also conscious of the historical consequences of permanently excluding a royal family member.
Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. The couple subsequently spent much of their married life outside Britain, and their 1937 visit to Nazi Germany, including a meeting with Adolf Hitler, further complicated their relationship with the British establishment.
Although the circumstances involving Harry and Meghan are different, Lownie views the episode as a reminder of how a prolonged royal estrangement can become part of the monarchy’s history.
Prince William is reportedly following a tougher path. According to the material reported by the Daily Mail and The Blast, William has remained largely distant from Harry and Meghan following their departure from royal duties, Harry’s Oprah Winfrey interview and the publication of his memoir, Spare.
Lownie has previously characterized Charles as more sentimental and compassionate, while William has been associated with the idea of establishing a “clean slate” before becoming king.
Despite the continuing distance, the Daily Mail also reported that some people close to Harry believe communication between the brothers exists and that a future public appearance together remains possible.
For Charles, the reported challenge is to preserve a family relationship without formally returning Harry and Meghan to royal duties. The current approach therefore separates personal contact from official royal status.
