Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III, are not closer to making peace. This week, many observers feel that the Sovereign opted to spare his son from public embarrassment.
However, he still found a way to snub him. For some experts, this is a clear sign that reconciliation is out of the window for now.
By choosing to elevate his siblings — Princess Anne and Prince Edward — to Counsellors of State, King Charles is effectively demoting Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.
While he could have gone further by removing the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, it is hard not to see the move as pushing the couple further out.
Supporters of the Royal Family believe this was absolutely necessary because the Sussexes have shown no plans to back down. Markle often uses her popular Spotify podcast, Archetypes, to throw small digs at the British monarchy.
The couple is getting ready for the premiere of their Netflix docuseries in the upcoming months. Moreover, on January 10, Prince Harry will publish his tell-all memoir Spare.
The renegade royal will cover important moments of his life. Experts say the book is a bad thing for the King because it will put the spotlight on particular episodes of his past that he would prefer to leave behind.
The death of his mother, Princess Diana, and the divorce of his parents were defining moments in Prince Harry’s journey.
Additionally, the Sussexes have said on many occasions that the monarchy failed them before “Megxit.” They said that when they needed help, no one came to the rescue.
Prince Harry has also said that the Royal Family cut him off after he left London in 2020 with his spouse and young son Archie. All these chapters will be revisited in some fashion through the upcoming projects.
The demotion of Prince Harry is to put more distance between the monarchy and the Sussexes as they seek to grow their empire in the entertainment industry.
The Counsellors of State are people who can replace the King on certain occasions. By adding more of them, King Charles is pushing Prince Harry further down in the ranking.
In short, King Charles feels like he can do without him when it comes to service. It is a clear and direct warning shot.
Royal expert Tom Bower told the Daily Mail: “Clearly there was no reconciliation during the Queen‘s funeral, and Charles fears the worst from the Netflix series and Harry’s memoir. Harry is firmly excluded – until he decides to come back to Britain and ask for forgiveness.”
Another royal commentator Angela Levin added: “Of course, it is a slight to Harry and Andrew – but there’s a good reason, and it’s necessary. Harry and Meghan would be absolutely furious. But he lives in California, he’s stopped being a working royal, so why should he [be a Counsellor of State]? It isn’t about Harry. Reading between the lines, it allows him to ensure that the right people are doing the right job.”
As if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle felt something like this was coming, they have turned down an invitation to spend Christmas with the Royal Family.
