In a matter of weeks, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex are expected to be officially welcomed back into The Firm, with the King making final plans for an emotional family reunion at Balmoral – but not all the Windsors are on board!
After being bad-mouthed in interviews and her brother-in-law’s book Spare, and seeing the effect the rift has had on her husband, the Princess of Wales, 44, has sworn she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Harry and Meghan don’t get the last laugh as she prepares to come face to face with the Sussexes.
“Kate feels like the royal family is being hijacked,” says our source.
“She and William don’t want to see Meghan and Harry welcomed back into the fold. They see them as troublemakers and people who can’t be trusted. “Kate’s worked incredibly hard to rebuild a sense of calm around her family over the past few years. The thought of reopening old chapters is naturally emotional. She just wants this firmly behind her.”
Kate fears over the Sussexes’ return
After Harry’s long-awaited reunion with Charles last month at Highgrove – where the monarch, 77, was delighted to finally see his grandkids, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five – this summer break in Scotland will see the Sussexes spend time with the Wales whānau, including Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, for the first time in years.
“Charles is trying to keep the lines of communication open with Harry and Meghan, but Kate is far more cautious,” we’re told.
“Charles has never stopped hoping the family will heal, but Kate and William remain wary after years of private family matters being aired in public. “Kate feels they’ve paid a very high price over the past few years – she’s cautious about Harry and Meghan having access again when there are still unresolved issues. She wouldn’t be surprised if this is them setting some sort of trap.”
What Harry and Meghan stand to gain
Indeed, well-placed insiders suggest the Sussexes have ulterior motives for wanting to return to the royal family, with their finances and business deals drying up, Meghan’s company As Ever on the brink of bankruptcy and their latest venture, a movie about Girl Guide biscuits, bombing at the US box office.
Getting their fingers back in the Privy Purse would solve a lot of the problems in their marriage and, at the very least, the reunion will keep Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, in the spotlight. A family reconciliation also has advantages for the King, who insists it’s the only way to boost his popularity and end the Windsors’ ongoing string of scandals, but Kate and William reportedly want “revenge” for how they’ve been treated.
“Charles believes the monarchy has to think long-term, and Harry, Meghan and their children could still have a role in strengthening the institution if relationships could somehow be repaired,” reports our source.
“But William and Kate don’t see it that way. Kate is normally incredibly forgiving, but this is completely different.”
