Harry and Meghan ‘Genuinely’ Apologising Could Be Key to Healing Rift With William, Says Expert
EXCLUSIVE: One royal commentator has suggested that if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex make a public apology, it could help their standing
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have been advised to make a public apology by a prominent expert.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously stepped back as full-time working members of the Royal Family in 2020, fleeing to Canada before settling in the United States. Since then, they have been part of a series oh high-profile projects, in which they sensationally opened up about their time within the firm. Part of this was their sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey for CBS, their six-part Netflix documentary and Harry's bombshell memoir, Spare.
Together, they alleged that unnamed members of the family speculated on Prince Archie's skin colour before he was born. Harry also claimed that his father and brother were both "trapped" by the responsibilities of the very institution of Monarchy. In 2023, he expressed similar sentiments in his autobiography, saying that Prince William and Princess Catherine felt trapped and persecuted by the press back in 2015.
Since their return to the UK, speculation has mounted about the Sussexes on a number of issues, particularly when it comes to obtaining armed security, their commercial future, and the state of Harry's strained relationship with his elder brother. Victoria Arbiter spent part of her teenage years living at Kensington Palace and attended a reception held by Princess Diana along with both her sons. She has suggested that a public apology could go a long way, both with the British public as well as Prince William.
Speaking to the Royal Observer, suggested: "I think it would be dreadful for all parties involved if there were unresolved issues, five, ten, fifteen, twenty years from now. Nobody wants that for any family, but I think William has to be able to handle that on his own terms when he's ready." Arbiter continued: "This may be controversial, but a public, genuine, authentic apology from Harry and Meghan would go a very long way. You add to that a sense of trust being rebuilt."
The eminent expert thinks that Harry also needs to go even further and make agreements with the Palace to ease the tensions, comparisons in the press and for all family members to be on the same page in the future. Arbiter remarked: "So Harry not throwing anyone else under the bus, Harry agreeing to observe the royal calendar, and to make sure he doesn't overstep. And if the King is away on a royal tour, that Harry doesn't then go off on his own royal tour."
Buckingham Palace previously issued a letter written by the Lord Chamberlain at the direction of His Majesty, the King. The guidance note stated unequivocally that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not working members of the Royal Family, their HRH titles are in abeyance and will not be used, and any work - commercial or charitable - they partake in will be as private citizens and not representing the Crown. Arbiter suggested that although this allows them the freedom to do what they wish, an apology might help get people back on their side.
Arbiter told me: "Harry and Meghan are private citizens; they should be allowed to do whatever they want to do, but if they're going to move back to England and if they really want this to work, then they're going to have to take into consideration what it is that the monarchy does and what the key players are responsible for." She continued: "I think if we can have those baby little steps, then maybe years down the line, there will be a coming together of the brothers, but I think they need to be allowed to do it on their own terms, in their own time."
Adding: "It's up to them to do it when they're ready ... Now, it's going to take a lot of compromise on all parts, and there's going to be a carefully choreographed dance about how they choose to move forward in conjunction with the monarchy, so that nobody's treading on anybody's toes."
Victoria also suggested that an apology could be the 'fresh start' that Harry needs to move forward, especially with the incredible global platform he has to make productive changes. Several of his projects, including the Invictus Games, the WellChild Awards, and the HALO Trust, receive worldwide attention.
"I think he has made a number of mistakes over the last six years, for which he should be held accountable, and for which an apology would be quite helpful," Arbiter explained. "But remove all of that, and you see what he's done for those veterans; you see how those veterans respond to him, and that's where you're like, Harry, you have this amazing platform. Focus on that, and the world is your oyster."
She added: "I hope they use this opportunity in a positive way for that fresh start."
