Harry vs Charles - where will it end?
What we think about this week's developments and the impact on their estrangement
It was tale of two cities for the royal family, one that could have long-lasting implications for healing the widening rift between father and son. With Charles and Camilla attracting huge crowds in Rome and living la dolce vita (more on this Roman holiday below), Harry spent two days cutting a sullen figure at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, fighting the decision that downgraded the police protection he receives when in the UK.
Unfortunately, Harry’s high-profile court appearance, followed by his equally surprising trip to Ukraine on Thursday, took the shine off the King’s state visit. Oh, and let’s not forget Meghan. Now a Montecito-based lifestyle influencer, selling flower sprinkles and jam through her business, As Ever, alongside her show, With Love, Meghan. She launched her latest podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, the same morning her husband arrived at the Court of Appeal - coincidentally the day before Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
Did Harry deliberately set out to upstage his dad’s tour, which take months of meticulous planning and was announced well in time to be pencilled onto a Family Sussex wall planner. To be fair, Harry did not choose the date of his court hearing, but he did choose to fly 5,000 miles to London, despite not technically being required to be there or give evidence. Did Meghan check her diary and think “Oops, big clash with in-laws’ anniversary tomorrow best not mention my postpartum preeclampsia on the first episode”? Evidently not.
Let’s just say, over the five years since stepping down as ‘working royals’ the duke and duchess have displayed the poorest form regarding their Sussex-related strategy. Oprah interview when Prince Philip was on his deathbed, tick! Releasing Harry & Meghan docu-series three months after Queen Elizabeth’s passing, tick! Publishing Spare one month later, tick! The list of examples is a long one.
Of course, on the flipside, they’re no longer bound by palace protocol. They have a luxury living to make and can do what they like, whenever they like. So what, if their schedules steal the spotlight. However, royal eyeballs in Italy and the UK must have rolled, accompanied by a big dose of frustration. Who can blame them. There have been many times, as royal commentators, we would love to have pointed out to Harry that his actions and words were never going to endear his estranged family to his plight.
Equally though, as he left court confessing to be “overwhelmed” and “exhausted” after three years of fighting the Home Office, we felt pangs of sorrow for him. He looked miserable. However, Harry, who fears for his life in the UK, then made an unexpected trip to Ukraine, as part of his Invictus work with wounded soldiers. Again, surely Harry was more than aware this secret trip to Lviv would be catnip to the world’s press and overshadow Charles and Camilla’s final day in Italy. (Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is the only other royal to visit Ukraine.)
Interestingly, Harry arrived in the UK on Sunday, Charles was in London that evening before leaving for Rome the next day. They never met. Their last meeting was in February 2024, after Charles’ cancer diagnosis. He is reported to be ‘frustrated’ by Harry suing his government. As King, he is in an impossible position, and it’s said to be one of the main reasons why he feels he is unable to see his son. While sources close to Harry say his absolute conviction (misplaced, according to Buckingham Palace) that his father has the power to reinstate his security has only served to fuel a sense of betrayal. Harry is also reportedly convinced his security was removed to try to “force” him “back into Britain and Establishment life.” A verdict is expected after Easter.
He has said that of all his legal cases, including those against the media, “this one always mattered the most”. Harry, we hope choosing legal battles over reconciliation with relatives is ultimately worth it. Just don’t expect Charles to start taking your calls any time soon. Truly, for father and son this week “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.
Charles and Camilla’s Roman holiday
Who doesn’t love an Italian mini-break? While all the Harry hoo-ha went on in the UK, the King and Queen looked to be having the best time this week, in Italy. On their four-day trip, they visited key sites such as the Colosseum, Parliament, Quirinale Palace, Dante’s tomb at Ravenna and the Byron Museum. They were met with enthusiastic crowds everywhere and Camilla had a go at making pasta.
“Grazie mille!” they posted on Instagram. There was much amore, all round.
William and George go to the footie…
We love seeing Prince George’s enthusiasm for football and on Wednesday, Prince William took his oldest son to Paris to watch his team, Aston Villa, in their Champions League Quarter Final match. Unfortunately, George didn’t prove a lucky mascot and they lost 3-1. William hugged all the players and chatted to TNT hosts Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist on air before kick-off, saying it was a “big deal” to take George, in his Villa scarf. Never mind, boys, maybe the return match will be better.
…And Sophie goes to the dogs - in the best possible way
It’s a loved-up Royal List this week, as next on our happy news list comes the Duchess of Edinburgh’s visit to the Yellow Labrador Club, after becoming its new patron. Sophie visited a Field Trial demonstration in Windsor Great Park on Tuesday and met some of its beautiful, four-legged members.
Also, on Friday, it was National Pet Day and William and Catherine posted a picture of their dog Orla, writing, “Celebrating the animals who bring so much joy, companionship and love to our lives this National Pet Day.” Aww.
Take a trip to The Edwardian Age
We were lucky to be invited to an exciting preview of The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, a magnificent exhibition by the Royal Collection Trust which has just opened at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. It’s well worth adding to your royal must-see list, exploring the splendour and opulence of that age with more than 300 objects on display.
It was hard to choose our favourite objects but we loved Queen Alexandra’s coronation dress, seen for the first time in thirty years. We also adored the fact, when Princess of Wales, she had a bespoke tea set made with her Kodak snaps printed on each item. Centuries ahead of Moonpig.com. Don’t go expecting a great deal of context, in terms of Edward VII’s lively love life for instance, but do go for the tiaras, paintings, photography and exquisite Cartier and Faberge bling! Tickets on sale here.
Maybe when he stops being a useless twat?
Who cares?
Is there anything more irrelevant right now?