The unthinkable finally happened!!
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet all reunited in England with King Charles III and Queen Camilla! After an incredibly turbulent few weeks leading up to the visit — which nearly didn’t take place — the estranged relatives were finally reunited.
The greeting took place at Highgrove House last week, and it was the first time the 77-year-old monarch had seen his grandkids in 4 years! While the moment wasn’t photographed, insiders are now breaking down everything to know about the important family time! Speaking to People on Wednesday, royal author Catherine Mayer said:
“One of the strangenesses of the monarchy is that we are all encouraged to forget they’re human beings because they’re representatives of the institution. But at its heart it is just a family — and this family has gone through extraordinary upheavals. Whatever you think of the monarchy, this is a moment most of us wanted to see happen.”
Related: The ‘Sweet’ Way Harry, Meghan, & Kids Honored Princess Diana
It wasn’t without its faults, though, Russell Myers said of the controversy leading up to the visit:
“There were U-turns and backtracks, and it will have all added to the complete exasperation of the King and his aides when dealing with Harry.”
A source close to the Sussexes also BLASTED Charles for denying Harry’s accepted offer to stay at Buckingham Palace during his UK return after he already faced a major security setback, saying it made everything “quite stressful.” Myers continued:
“What was billed as a big homecoming — not only for Harry but potentially for Meghan too — turned into a nightmare. It was further evidence of the fractiousness of Harry’s relationship with the institution.”
A well-placed source noted that those close to Harry found this public PR mess frustrating but all too familiar:
“This is not the first time it has not been plain sailing with correspondence or trying to make things work. It all comes back to security. If that was resolved, there would be so much more certainty every time he comes — or they come.”
For Meghan, she was “humiliated” watching the media crisis amid the back-and-forth between her family and the royals, a source who knows the couple said, while another added that the Suits alum “is very supportive” of her husband, causing “a lot of sadness” that she wasn’t able to be there for much of his trip. But another insider pointed out that “she always lets him lead” on matters of his family.
Among all this drama, the Duke of Sussex was then dealt another blow while in England when his phone hacking case against Associated Newspapers was dismissed, which royal author Simon Vigar called “a massive defeat” for him. As news was hitting the press, Harry was stepping on stage at his Invictus Games conference, where he was able to keep composed, the well-placed source said:
“He can compartmentalize. He was there to support the people at the Invictus Games.”
He continued to focus on his charity work, showing up to Birmingham Children’s Hospital later in the week, where WellChild nurse Nicky Holt said he had “a wonderful way with everybody,” adding:
“Moments like that really show how personable he is.”
The next day, he stepped out for his countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games event, which proved what a loss to the royal family he is, Vigar reflected:
“Invictus is Harry on his A game. It was ‘Look at what you’re missing.’ It is a crying shame. Meghan and Harry could have been absolutely transformative for the royal family.”
Just hours later, he got the family reunion he’d been dreaming about! Even if it meant dealing with his stepmother, with whom he has butted heads in the past, Mayer said:
“She is a non-negotiable part of Charles’s life. There is no reconciliation with him without her.”
And, of course, no photos were taken, a source close to the family said:
“It is better that people don’t know anything about these meetings. They should be allowed to rekindle those family ties.”
The location said it all, too, Mayer pointed out:
“Highgrove doesn’t have the pomp and circumstance or institutional aspects of a palace. It reveals this as a family matter — a human matter.”
Missing out on the family fun was Prince William and Princess Catherine — though that’s not shocking as the relationship between the brothers is “so broken.” A source who knows them both added:
“I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest. But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side. There is no contact.”
Things are so estranged that the young royals have no relationship with their first cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Sad! Vigar said:
“[Princess] Diana would be devastated that it has turned out like this, particularly because [the brothers] were once so close.”
And while he settles back into his California lifestyle, a source who knows Harry in his new era stressed:
“He’s never lived a life here where he hasn’t been entangled in his past life. He’s always had one foot there.”
Sad! As hard as he tries to get back into the royal family fold, it’s never easy! What a WILD ride it was getting this family together again! There’s never any shortage of drama when Harry and Meghan are involved. Oof!
Reactions, Perezcious readers? Let us know (below)!
[Image via MEGA/WENN & Meghan Markle/Instagram]
