While entertaining French President Emmanuel Macron at a state dinner, King Charles lauded his eldest son, Prince William. However, there was one major fact the King may have overlooked, possibly on deliberately. A few months ago, Prince Harry spoke to the press about his wish to reunite with his family. He stated that he “would love a reconciliation,” but it appears that no olive branch was presented from the other side.
In his speech, Charles stated, “The Castle in which we meet this evening was begun by my ancestor — and your sometime countryman — William, Duke of Normandy, in the year 1070,” addressing his 150 guests. “It remains the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world,” he said. “So it is perhaps rather appropriate that my son, the Prince of Wales, who shares that earlier William’s name, has made Windsor his home with his family, like so many of our predecessors,” said the Duke of Edinburgh.
The address went on to laud Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Briget, and emphasized the solid alliance that the United Kingdom has enjoyed with France over time. Many observers noticed, however, that the address included no mention of Prince Harry or his family. If the speech is any indication, it suggests that Harry’s desire for peace may not be shared by the opposing side.
In the interview when he voiced his wishes for reconciliation, Harry also stated that he did “not know how much longer my father has,” referring to his father’s disease, which was exposed to the public earlier last year. Harry stated that his father did not address the matter with personal protection for Harry and his family. As a result, despite his desire to reconcile, he couldn’t imagine himself or his family living in the United Kingdom.
Experts say King Charles is also seeking reconciliation with his youngest child. “Of course, he [Charles] would prefer Harry to be the prodigal son and return, and he would be much happier if William and Harry reconnected. But he knows it isn’t going to happen,” wrote Ingrid Seward, a Royal biographer, in her book My Mother and I. Some media outlets have long speculated that Prince William is partially to blame for the schism between father and son.
According to The Mirror, when Charles announced his condition early last year, the palace’s reaction to Harry’s return to the UK was not viewed as a moment of reconciliation. “Whatever has been discussed between William and the King is private, but it is absolutely and categorically clear that [William] would not allow Harry to return,” according to their article.