"There is no planned meeting " between Princes Charles, Harry, and William revealed a source.
Prince Harry is scheduled to go back to the UK at the end of June to unveil a statue of his mom, Princess Diana, with his brother Prince William. The purpose of the Duke of Sussex's visit is to unveil a tribute to his late mum in the Kensington Palace ground on July 1, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Princess Diana died in 1997 following a car crash in Paris. She was 36 at the time. The statue was originally commissioned in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of her death and to "recognize her positive impact in the United Kingdom and around the world." However, it was pushed back and later on hold due to the pandemic. It will finally be unveiled to mark the People's Princess' brirthday this year.
However, it seems unlikely that Harry, 36, will see the Prince of Wales, 72, as he will be up in Scotland when his youngest son lands, reports The Sun. They have not planned a meeting as well. "Charles will leave the boys to it. Harry will need to quarantine for at least five days when he lands in England, most likely at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor," said a source. "Charles has made it quite clear he will not be around beyond that because he is going to Scotland. There is no planned meeting between the three of them.”
It is understood that the brothers will put on a united front at the unveiling because it is for their mother, after all. A source revealed: "The boys will walk out together out of respect for their mum." During the event, the brothers will also deliver their own speeches. They last met in person during Prince Phillip's funeral, and they are rumored to be in touch via text messages, amid their "royal rift."
"There have not been any personal chats or proper talks, just a very brief and minimal exchange of text messages," yet another source revealed. “The relationship is still very much strained and there’s no sign yet that there will be any sort of coming together any time soon.”
Meghan Markle, meanwhile, is unlikely to join Prince Harry on his upcoming overseas trip. "Meghan has just had a baby and has no plans to travel to London for the memorial event planned for the statue unveiling in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace," said a source, as per ET.
Meghan's decision to skip the event has been frowned upon by many. Royal expert Phil Dampier stated, "It wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t see Meghan for some time," according to The Sun. He further added, "I don’t think she is popular with the royals or the public in the UK anymore and I think she will prefer to stay in California with her two young children." He further called the birth of Lili an "excuse" for Meghan to skip royal engagements.
"The birth of Lilibet gives her a perfect excuse not to come," he said. It may be seen as a swipe at the Royal Family, but it will just be added to an already long list," said the expert. In addition to criticizing Meghan's absence, Dampier commented that the ceremony would be the perfect opportunity for the brothers to reconnect and forget their differences.
While a few agree with this point of view, many believe it is not advisable for a new mom with an infant and a 2-year-old toddler to travel amidst a pandemic, which is not entirely over. Harry and Meghan also express often how important a role Princess Diana continues to play in their life. Whether it is naming their daughter after her, Meghan's nod to Diana through her jewelry, which even made its way to her children's book, or how committed they remain to making the world a better place for under-served communities, the couple know that they have Diana's guidance and blessings at every step.
“This is the best opportunity for William and Harry to repair their relationship, and it may be better for the brothers to sort things out between them on their own." For now, we hope the brothers' bond heals and their mother's memory helps them reconnect with each other beyond their differences.
References:
https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/3118461/prince-charles-no-plans-meet-harry/
https://www.etonline.com/meghan-markle-will-not-attend-princess-diana-statue-unveiling-in-the-uk-source-says-167478
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15284691/meghan-wont-uk-diana-statue-lilibet-birth-royal/
Cover Image Source: Photo by Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images
