For many, living near their grandchildren is crucial. While it’s not always feasible – my child’s grandparents live in another country – grandparents generally want to see their grandchildren as much as possible.
King Charles faces a challenging situation. He lives thousands of miles away from two of his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and family tensions complicate visits further. Reports suggest Charles is deeply affected by the limited contact with Archie and Lilibet during their formative years, but resolving this issue is far from simple.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties, some might have hoped the monarchy’s main loss was two public figures. However, deeper reasons soon emerged for the Sussexes’ departure, highlighting significant rifts with senior royals.
After moving to the U.S., Harry and Meghan publicly shared their grievances, painting the Royal Family in a negative light. Their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey revealed troubling details and set the stage for further disclosures. They then released a Netflix series delving into their challenges as working royals, followed by Harry’s memoir, Spare, which provided vivid and controversial insights into royal life.
Relations between Harry, Meghan, and the monarchy have since deteriorated more than anyone might have anticipated. While there is speculation about potential reconciliation, the situation remains fraught with complications, wounded pride, and uncertainty.
Despite their royal status, the involved parties are still a family, likely experiencing love, regret, and conflicted emotions. King Charles, blessed with proximity to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis through Prince William and Kate Middleton, deeply feels the distance from Archie and Lilibet. For the young royals in California, it’s almost as if they live on another planet due to the lack of regular interaction.
Archie and Lilibet’s absence from the royal fold weighs on Charles. He apparently strives to maintain some connection with his grandchildren despite his strained relationship with their parents.
Princess Lilibet’s third birthday on June 4th was celebrated at Harry and Meghan’s Montecito home. High-profile guests like Orlando Bloom, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Oprah Winfrey attended, but no royal family members were invited. Royal expert Tom Quinn revealed that King Charles sent a birthday message and gift to Lilibet. He plans a more significant gift, akin to the handmade swing he gave Prince George, but will wait until the family feud subsides.
Quinn explained, “He gave Prince George a beautiful hand-made wooden swing with George’s name carved on it, and he has plans to give something similar to Lilibet, but not this year. And not unless and until the family feud dies down.”
An old army friend of Harry’s mentioned Harry’s decision not to invite any royal family members to Lilibet’s party, saying, “Harry knew they wouldn’t come anyway, and he was pretty sure he would not have wanted them there. But he is really sad that Archie and Lilibet cannot have any kind of relationship with their cousins while his feud with his family continues.”
The path to mending these relationships and restoring trust will be long and challenging, with uncertain outcomes ahead.