Keep calm and carry on” is the mantra the Prince and Princess of Wales live by as the frenzy over Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s return to the UK shows no signs of abating.
The future king and queen were “derailed” by the unexpected arrival of the Sussexes and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet last month, but
refuse to be drawn into the drama and are determined to “remain dignified”, says a source.
Meghan and Harry have been grabbing headlines since the move that shocked the royal family, who had no idea the couple was planning to return after six years in Montecito, California.
The King, 77, sent a letter clarifying that Harry and Meghan would not return to their royal roles or represent him at any events they attend. That rocked Meghan and Harry, with their spokesperson saying they were “surprised not to have been told about this in advance”. The palace has refuted that claim, saying the Sussexes were informed about the letter before it was sent out.
According to one insider, Harry took issue with the King’s assertion that he and Meghan were to be treated as private citizens.
“The Sussexes prefer the term ‘public figures’ and would have liked an acknowledgement that on a personal level, they remain members of the royal family despite no longer receiving public funding.”
Keeping up appearances
Meanwhile, William and Catherine, both 44, managed to steer clear of all the upheaval caused by the return by getting on with their official duties with their usual grace and warmth.
Catherine made a surprise visit to cancer patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London – where she had chemotherapy for cancer – and joined William at an event encouraging the use of sport as a way of opening conversations with people experiencing mental health struggles.
The couple also took their eldest child, Prince George, 13, to his first day at Eton College.
While they are composed and charming in public, behind the scenes there will have been plenty of discussions with staff and family about what having the Sussexes back in the country means.
“I think it is a problem for William and Catherine on one level because it doesn’t matter how many hospital wings they open, the Sussexes are going to get the headlines,” says media commentator Mark Dolan. “But I would argue those aren’t going to be good headlines.”
William keeps his distance
Strategies will no doubt be in place for if and when their paths cross, although that’s unlikely to be in the immediate future. For example, Harry, 42, isn’t invited to events like the upcoming wedding of their second cousin Lady Amelia Windsor, 31.
There will certainly be no rush to reconciliation, says Mark. The King, while keen to make sure Harry and Meghan don’t have royal status, wants to connect with
his grandchildren and is “warm to rebuilding a relationship with the Sussexes. But William is not having it”.
A palace insider adds there’s a sense “William is going to have to be watching over his shoulder”, because he doesn’t know “what his brother is going to spring on them all next”.
Both William and the King are wary of Harry because private information he’s made public previously. Harry has already talked about conversations he’s had with his father since returning to the UK.
William and Catherine are unlikely to respond to what Harry says, although it must be stressful for them, the insider says.
“They don’t have to do or say anything. History has proven that Meghan and Harry will dig their own grave. And this takes them further away from reconciliation.”
