Quick Visit with The Queen Raises Eyebrows
On the Royal calendar, one thing has been certain, if it’s Easter weekend it means ‘Easter Court’ at Windsor Castle. The Queen in residence, royal reporters hanging around, and crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals.
On Maundy Thursday, visitors got more than they were expecting, as a crowd spotted Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, walking outside towards the Castle. It was the first time they’ve been seen publicly in the UK together since they spectacularly walked out on Royal life in 2020.
Matt Wilkinson, royal correspondent at The Sun, broke the news Thursday night, just as the Friday front page was released, with the splash, “Harry and Meg’s Secret Visit to Queen.” The Daily Mail, ITV, and others quickly followed. Oddly enough it was Prince Harry’s spokesperson who provided confirmation, releasing a statement that Harry had “visited his grandmother.” That’s one way to put it.
Rumours about Prince Harry and his wife Meghan returning to the UK reached a fever pitch ahead of the weekend, with the couple already heading to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games. It frankly seemed obvious, even to outsiders, that it would be a defining moment for royal relations if he did not stop to see his family. Though not confirmed by either side, Harry reportedly also briefly saw his father, The Prince of Wales, apparently a condition set by The Queen. His brother, Prince William, was said to be out of the country. (That’s another article entirely…)
The state of the relationship between Harry and his family is only truly known to those involved. Longtime and respected royal correspondents (with solid sources) say they’ve been told it’s still incredibly tense and difficult, after all, not many families could survive the airing of highly charged accusations on global television. Not to mention the repeated remarks that followed in subsequent media appearances, and now the threat of Harry’s soon-to-be-released “memoir.”
The Queen, however, is about to turn 96 years old, and has just marked her historic Platinum Jubilee. Though still smiling and engaged in her few public appearances, she is said to be increasingly frail with “mobility issues.”
It’s not a stretch to think Harry simply wanted what may be the last chance to visit his grandmother.
Many royal reporters started calling the whirlwind Windsor visit the “olive branch” or “clear the air” meeting, a chance for all sides to have a chat and start the process of moving on.
Not likely.
As with their relationship, no one but the few on the inside can say what happened in those moments at Windsor Castle. But realistically, a “clear the air” meeting seems a reach. A long one. As anyone who’s experienced family conflict will attest, short, unavoidable interactions are generally met with dread and nervousness, too brief to have (and then recover from) any meaningful conversation. The hope usually is, “let’s just smile, keep the peace, and get through this!” In this case, Granny, Papa, and Harry, likely wanted a brief, drama-free, warm interaction. A face-to-face that perhaps would remind them of the bonds they have, the bonds at great risk of being permanently broken. As is often said, “it’s a lot harder to hate up close.”
Cynics point out that Harry also has a PR problem. Though viewed more favourably in his new American home, he has ever plunging popularity in the UK. Polls repeatedly show most Brits want him stripped of his Duke of Sussex title, a wedding gift given by the Queen in anticipation of his service as a working royal. He was a no-show at the recent memorial for his grandfather, Prince Philip, which was packed with 1,800 mourners, among them numerous dignitaries and Heads of State. He is also taking legal action against Her Majesty’s Government, demanding a robust and armed security team be provided to him when he’s in the UK, claiming it’s “not safe” for him to return. (Even though he’s reportedly turned down offers to stay with the country’s most secure citizen, his father, the future King Charles.)
The view of his cynical detractors, is that more than family healing, Harry needed the PR boost this visit gave him, especially ahead of the Invictus Games. It guaranteed breaking news, higher demand for photos, and continued his “news value” through the weekend. They point out that Harry walked outside in clear view of crowds on what’s known to be a busy Windsor weekend, and it was not the palace that confirmed the meeting, but Harry’s own spokesperson. Wouldn’t a man angry at what he said were repeated leaks, simply offer a “no comment on private family matters” to reporters?
And of course, the biggest beneficiary of the increased PR and royal storyline - Netflix. The couple signed a deal with Netflix, and Netflix camera crews and producers are clearly trailing them in The Netherlands. They were not however spotted in the UK, likely another condition set by Harry’s wise grandmother. Time will tell how much of this Royal family drama is mentioned in their anticipated Netflix documentary, and Harry’s own book.
Harry does have to earn a living. The man once known as His Royal Highness gave up life as he knew it — his job, his country, his family, even his military ties — for a high-profile life of celebrity activism in California. That comes with daily demands, and though clearly profitable, life as a mega-celebrity does not come cheap.
It’s hard to imagine Harry will ever return as a meaningful member of the British Royal Family. No one expects him to return as a working member, though some have suggested a part-time arrangement could happen under King Charles. Could Harry and his wife make high-profile appearances at Royal events and milestones? Perhaps. And there’s a monumental one on the horizon. Matt Wilkinson, who correctly broke the news of their arrival, had another exclusive Sunday morning. Quotes from “senior” royal sources that the surprise visit was instigated by Harry at the last minute, hoping to see the Queen and secure front-and-centre placement for his family, in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June. Another possibility that lends credence to Wilkinson’s report, does Harry want a Royal Christening to be part of the June celebrations? It’s been reported multiple times (with no denial) that they want a Windsor Castle Christening for their young daughter.
However, Harry and Meghan are blinding distractions in the UK, and not in a good way. The majority of people don’t support their actions, and feel they’ve attacked a monarch and country that put the world at their feet. Also unknown right now, are the feelings of the highly influential next Prince of Wales and future King, conveniently-out-of-the-country Prince William. His decision on the matter may be the final one.
After that infamous and chaotic Oprah interview, former US First Lady Michelle Obama was asked for her reaction. Mrs. Obama had, perhaps, the wisest comments of anyone, saying, “My hope is that, when I think about what they’re going through, I think about the importance of family and I just pray that there is forgiveness and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time,” Mrs. Obama said gently, adding, “Because there’s nothing more important than family.”
Whether Harry feels that about his Royal family, remains to be seen.