Charles to Extend a Major Olive Branch to Harry and Meghan — and William and Kate Won’t Be Pleased
His waving of the white flag comes in the form of allowing the couple to stay at one of his royal residences during the Invictus Games.
After years of not seeing eye-to-eye, King Charles may have softened, reportedly extending a peace offering to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. His waving of the white flag comes in the form of allowing the couple to stay at one of his royal residences during the Invictus Games, possibly Highgrove House. However, Charles' apparent change of heart seems to run counter to Prince William and Kate Middleton's approach, as they have largely chosen to distance themselves from the drama surrounding the Sussexes.
Following rumors that the Duchess would join this year's Invictus Games, as per the Daily Express, a report claimed the King had offered the Sussexes accommodation at his Gloucestershire residence. A source revealed, "There's a good chance that they will stay at a royal residence during a UK stay that includes Invictus events if the current thaw in family relations continues." The estate is a relatively short distance down the M5 from Birmingham. It offers 24/7 armed protection along with a no-fly-zone bubble, making it an appealing option given Harry and Markle's security concerns. However, Markle's entry into the country would reportedly be assured only if the reinstatement of Harry's taxpayer-funded security is ruled in his favor.
If the visit does end up favoring the Sussexes, it would go against William and Middleton's policy of distancing themselves from their chaos. Commenting on their strict stance, an insider told the Daily Beast, "Catherine and William have been very clear they want peace and quiet for them and the kids. A visit from Harry, with all the drama that would bring, would be the opposite of that." Another friend added, "They have come to terms with the estrangement from Harry, and are content to let sleeping dogs lie." Reportedly, the Waleses' strong sentiment intensified after the release of the Duke's scathing memoir, Spare.
But, it appears the Prince and Princess of Wales can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Sussexes' spokesperson has dismissed claims that Markle is returning to the UK. Writing on his Substack, royal expert Tom Sykes said, "I reported late last night that the Duchess of Sussex was planning a return to the United Kingdom as soon as this summer." He quoted a source who alleged that she and her children would accompany the Duke during the Invictus Games. However, according to Sykes, their spokesperson later contacted him, suggesting the reports were simply 'pure speculation.'
Meanwhile, royal expert Jennie Bond issued a warning to Markle if she wished to attend the Invictus Games with Harry. Writing for the i Paper, she argued that if the Duchess does decide to travel to the UK, then her visit would need to be carefully 'staged.' She penned, "She [Markle] might not face the same physical risk, but she's more likely to trigger a verbal backlash than Harry, who still has a knack for charming the crowd." The expert also advised Markle to "give the UK a miss," since she's "clearly happy at home in California."
