Is the tide tuning for Prince Harry?
Royal Clubbers split over a potential royal return for the Duke - but the mood music is slowly shifting
Hello, Royal Clubbers, it’s Millie here. First of all, thank you so much to everyone who left their thoughts and voted in this week’s poll – would you welcome Prince Harry back into the royal family? Fifty-seven per cent of you said no, while 38 per cent of you would welcome him back into the fold. The post also attracted an unprecedented volume of both impassioned and polarised comments, an accurate reflection of the wider discourse around Harry and Meghan since their infamous ‘Megxit’.
In this post I will shine a light on some of your divergent opinions, try and get to the bottom of exactly why the royal pair provoke such strong reactions, and even attempt to find some common ground between those of you who are at odds.
To do so, let’s go back to early 2020 when things first began to unravel publicly between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the rest of the royal family. The couple released a statement: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."
As we know, this “transition” led to the couple relocating to Los Angeles, no longer keeping their patronages or using the ‘HRH’ titles, and completely stepping back from royal life, a decision which “saddened” the royals, but it was insisted that the duo remained “much loved members of the family” in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
The move to the US came as a shock to many, but I feel that the reaction against Harry and Meghan would not have been so visceral if not for the subsequent media appearances made by the couple, criticising the institution that they were once a part of, and that many members of the public feel protective over.
Many of you echoed this sentiment in the comments.
Patricia made a compelling point: “I think he is a very personable character and would be valuable to the royals. However he has crossed the line with what he says and has written about the family. His words and accusations can never be forgotten. They will always haunt him.”
I was always told that saying something online is akin to squeezing out a tube of toothpaste, then trying to put it all back in!
However, I would urge you to see the issue from Harry and Meghan’s perspective with a little more compassion. Some of the headlines during their time as senior royals and even before Meghan married Harry (the Daily Mail’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ article comes to mind!) were undeniably racially charged, and narratives pitting Meghan and Catherine against each other would have been difficult for anyone to stomach.
In their Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, the couple discussed how they felt Meghan’s miscarriage was brought about in part because of the stress of Associated Newspapers printing a private letter between Meghan and her father.
Beyond this, the alleged incident of "concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born” from within the royal family, per Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, surely would make any parent wish to protect their children.
Royal Clubber Ann felt Prince Harry did “the right thing” in leaving the UK, arguing that he was protecting his family and wife, who was on “the receiving end of some nasty comments”.
On the other hand, Meghan and Harry broke a long-held tradition within the royal family of ‘never complain, never explain’. Royal Clubber Geoffrey argued that the Sussexes knew Buckingham Palace “would not publicly refute his claims”, leaving their version of events to be the one in public consciousness.
Harry’s point of no return
Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare, has further alienated him from the other members of his family, especially those who are portrayed in a less flattering light in its pages.
This seems to be an opinion many Royal Clubbers hold, that the public takedown of Prince William, King Charles and other royals puts him beyond the path of reconciliation.
Ann had a different perspective, saying Prince Harry’s role as “second fiddle” his whole life would make anyone angry: “I think he wrote the book out of sheer frustration...maybe mistakenly… He obviously want to reconcile....isn't that the right thing for everyone?”
Other Royal Clubbers argued that Meghan “should have known what she was getting into” by marrying into the royal family, and perhaps that is true. Royal Clubber Robert suggested that Prince Harry could have done more to prepare her for royal life. I suppose we won’t ever really know what happened behind closed doors leading up to Meghan’s integration into royal life. But if you truly love someone, wouldn’t the conditions of their life be worth it? All I can see from their life in Montecito suggests that the couple are very much in love.
And you can’t deny their life appears idyllic. Their children will grow up away from the lens of the UK media unlike their cousins George, Charlotte and Louis, who are already feeling the weight of the public gaze on them. All of the Sussexes have far more freedom than their royal counterparts across the pond and are therefore at liberty to make their own choices away from the pressures and expectations of royal life.
Besides, maybe it’s just the lighting on Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, but I have to say I’m envious of the California sunshine!
Royal Clubber Izzy said: “Please remember that they are not asking to come back. Harry is asking for a reconciliation with his family. They will never go back. They have a wonderful life [in the US] and that is why Meghan took him to her country so he could see how one can live here in California.”
Time to forgive?
Many of you agree that forgiveness is the best way forward, and that enough time has passed for Prince Harry to reunite with his family, and mending to occur. This was sentiment was reflected in the results of yesterday’s poll asking if you were happy King Charles and Harry had reunited at Clarence House yesterday, with 61 per cent of you saying you were.
With Prince Harry’s recent visit to the UK, I do feel as though the tides are turning. He was well-received at all of the events he attended, greeted with cheers and well-wishers, and has made two sizeable donations to good causes here in the UK, one via his foundation, and another personal donation.
A spokesperson for the Duke said: “He’s obviously loved being back in the UK, catching up with old friends, colleagues and just generally being able to support the incredible work of the causes that mean so much to him.”
While I know many of you will never forget or forgive Harry for his perceived wrongdoings, it’s pretty clear his heart is in the right place. And in a world of unconscionable violence and hatred, all too recently demonstrated last night in Utah, perhaps we all just need to bring the temperature down when it comes to discussing the likes of Harry and Meghan.
Do you agree? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
NB. We reserve the right to remove any abusive or defamatory posts.
Royal Club latest on Prince Harry
Would you welcome Prince Harry back into the royal family?
BREAKING NEWS: Harry and Charles reunite
WATCH: I interviewed Prince Harry last night – here are my three takeaways
I am always in favor of forgiveness, but you can forgive without becoming besties with someone. Trust is a totally different issue, and it has to be earned and that does not happen overnight and may never happen. Prince William tried to talk to Harry as a concerned brother, wanting him to take his time and totally prepare Megan for Royal life. Harry reacted with anger, and it only got worse from there. I personally do not trust Meagan. She is a manipulator and controls the narrative in her family. I do not think she ever had any intention of following royal protocols. It has nothing to do with race and more to do with her character or lack thereof. It's not her style. She wanted the title of princess and that was her way of getting it...then she moved back to her life expecting everyone to look up to her because of a title. Like trust, titles are earned and she in no more a princess than I am. Harry was looking for acceptance and unfortunately found it in the wrong place. I am sure he loves and misses the country and family who raised him but in a stubborn fit of " I will do it my way" he has lost more than he will ever gain from his marriage. Let's face it Hollywood marriages do not have a good track record. Harry will be the biggest loser when they split and the odds favor that outcome, unfortunately. Meagan has an inflated value of herself, and I don't see any of her attempts to become relevant ever succeeding. She has no talent and certainly is not princess material. Just saying!!!
This disdain for these two drifters has NOTHING to do with race! They are classless, embarrassing morons. Rock on Prince William.