The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 7: Oct. 2022 - Apr. 2023

[HenRach Dominion]

I don't understand the fear of TRH The Sussexes upstaging the coronation.
HRH The Duke of Sussex went to his grandfather's funeral without incident (it was HRH The Duke of York who complained about uniforms).
They went to the Jubilee without issue (unless you feed into the tabloid narrative that HRH The Duchess of Sussex standing by a window was her seeking the spotlight).
They went to his grandmother's funeral without issue (in fact, when the uniform issue came up again, HRH The Duke of Sussex graciously said that it wasn't important, and that honoring his grandmother should be the focus).
So why would they suddenly decide to cause problems at the Coronation when they haven't at any other big events?
Now, if the concern is the media's potential focus on them, then that's more the media looking for clicks and not honoring the historic moment rather than anything TRH The Sussexes have done.

 

[Moran]

They won't do anything AT the coronation. The whinefest will start later. Like it did with HLM's death. Harry thought it was so very important to defend his lady's honour and it was more important than showing consideration to his father whose mother was dying or actually try to get there in time before his granmother died.

They got their share of royal dust sprinkle and Harry leaped on the attack immediately after.

It's going to be the same. They will behave perfectly, in their estimation. The thing is, Meghan doesn't know what appropriate behavior means, so she will make herself ridiculous in her attempts to paint herself as respectful and so much part of the family. But it's going to be a small thing.

The whineattack will come later.

As to William trying to forgive Harry, not going to happen. Not as long as Harry keeps attacking. How can you forgive someone who never asked for forgiveness? I have no doubt he will tolerate him for appearance's sake but if Charles goes all mushy on darling Harry who keeps showing no regret and actually forces him on the family, then he can kiss being close to William goodbye.

ETA: If family closeness is renewed with Charles pretending that nothing ever happened, it's going to be taken as a sign that they indeed apologized to Meghan for all she claimed they did wrong. Because Harry did say no reconciliation can happen without his injured lady receiving an apology on the RF's knees.

 

[Denville]

how is he forcing Harry on the family? He has hardly been in the UK in hte past 2 years, only for family funerals or the like, and to visit the aging queen and I doubt if there was much contact when they were here. Its almost as litlte contact as the D of Windsor had... and it need n ot have been like that. If H had not been such a ffool, he could have had his life in the US, and come to see his family and be welcomed there, unlike the DOW.
William is not a fool. He knows that he has to tolerate H for the sake of the unity of the family, just as he probably tolerates Andrew in spite of the embarrassment that he has caused them. Harry is in LA, and wont be back that often, so Will's tolerance will not be stretched too far. Im sure he's aware that its very hard for Charles, who loves Harry as a father, to cope iwth his awful behaviour and he's not going to make it harder for him.

 

[Moran]

I said "IF he forces Harry on the family" because there have been opinions that being the loving father he is, Charles is going to try and draw Harry back "into the fold". Personally, I don't believe it and I say that unless Harry makes an actual effort, bringing him back as Charles' darling boy is a direct hit on William and a confirmation that everything Harry said about William, his wife and the grim prediction he voiced with such laughable concern were all true.

Sorry, no matter how hard it might be for my mum to cope if my brother behaves like Harry does, I'm out if she tries "to bring him back into the fold", pretending that he never attacked me, my husband or my children. Harry attacked all of William's family but because Charles loves his son, he should close his eyes? Not very loving to anyone else but Harry.

I don't see it happening.

Andrew is not applicable here. He never attacked his family. Harry publicly behaved in the manner of a man hating his brother. Publicly. The Duke of Windsor is a better example indeed. I can't imagine Charles forcing William to tolerate someone who delighted in bringing him down. Andrew never did this. Never.

 

[Lilyflo]

But I'm surprised at how people are so sympathetic to Charles wanting a relationship with his attacker son and refusing to see that it might well cost him the relationship with his attacked son.

Family relationships can be complicated. William is a father himself so despite being justifiably furious with Harry, he might be able to empathise with Charles. Perhaps William understands that you can't turn off parental love like a tap and that no matter what Harry has done (or will do) Charles will always have fatherly love for him and wish to heal any rifts, even if that takes a long time and a huge amount of forgiveness.

 

[Moran]

Family relationships can be complicated. William is a father himself so despite being justifiably furious with Harry, he might be able to empathise with Charles. Perhaps William understands that you can't turn off parental love like a tap and that no matter what Harry has done (or will do) Charles will always have fatherly love for him and wish to heal any rifts, even if that takes a long time and a huge amount of forgiveness.

Or perhaps Charles might be able to empathise with William and draw on his parental love to understand that closing the rift on William, Catherine and their children's expense isn't very loving or parental.

Lilyflo, I'm not attacking you. Really. But you are one of the few people who talk about love and forgiveness on Charles' part without mentioning that Charles wasn't even the main target on Harry's hatred. Do you really think William's feelings can be taken out of the equation so Charles can play happy families with Harry? Because that's what I see in your post. The one who was attacked most maliciously should empathize with Charles' desire to heal the rift which isn't even Charles', mostly. And it can be done without the attacker doing anything to mend this rift. Because Charles loves him. I don't get it.

 

[Denville]

I said "IF he forces Harry on the family" because there have been opinions that being the loving father he is, Charles is going to try and draw Harry back "into the fold". Personally, I don't believe it and I say that unless Harry makes an actual effort, bringing him back as Charles' darling boy is a direct hit on William and a confirmation that everything Harry said about William, his wife and the grim prediction he voiced with such laughable concern were all true.

Sorry, no matter how hard it might be for my mum to cope if my brother behaves like Harry does, I'm out if she tries "to bring him back into the fold", pretending that he never attacked me, my husband or my children. Harry attacked all of William's family but because Charles loves his son, he should close his eyes? Not very loving to anyone else but Harry.

I don't see it happening.

Andrew is not applicable here. He never attacked his family. Harry publicly behaved in the manner of a man hating his brother. Publicly. The Duke of Windsor is a better example indeed. I can't imagine Charles forcing William to tolerate someone who delighted in bringing him down. Andrew never did this. Never.

ANdrew's behaviour was worse than Harry's, pound for pound and the RF are goign to have to keep him under the radar for the rest of his life...
if you dont think that Charles is going to bring H back into the family why bring it up? Of course he will hope for some degree of reconcilation but at the present I cant' see any sign that it wont be a toleration of Harry for the sake of public unity and because he has shown a lot of signs of mental disturbance.

 

[OwlBranch]

Or perhaps Charles might be able to empathise with William and draw on his parental love to understand that closing the rift on William, Catherine and their children's expense isn't very loving or parental.

This is not just about love from a father to a son, it is also about love from a KING to a nation, to Commonwealth.

What kind of message is the KING sending if he excludes his own son?

The tabloids were always hysterically saying Harry blindsided the QUEEN. But she was able to rise above the fray, personally stayed in touch with Harry, personally invited him to the Jubilee. She was able to appear outwardly not bothered by the all the things that the Daily Mail said she was very bothered by. She was a successful Monarch because of this approach.

Can Charles do that? Can he be a magnanimous leader?

The mob is always out for blood. But should a KING sway with public sentiment or be a steady rock?

 

[Moran]

This is not just about love from a father to a son, it is also about love from a KING to a nation, to Commonwealth.

What kind of message is the KING sending if he excludes his own son?


The mob is always out for blood. But should a KING sway with public sentiment or be a steady rock?

That someone who hates Britain so much doesn't have a place in a state occasion?

It wasn't about a father's love but a SON should not be excluded?

Why not someone who hates and doesn't appreciate Britain?

Harry went out of his way to show that he doesn't care about traditions, manners, customs, anything that doesn't affect him directly. That he hated this racist institution, otherwise known as his family.

But he should be included because he's the king's son?

Rising above the fray doesn't mean pretending that a state occasion is a place for Charles to pamper his baby and his irreverence to everything the RF is supposed to stand for.

 

[Denville]

Nobody is out for blood. Harry isn't very popular, but if the RF welcome him back politely, and he is willing to come to the coronation but not take part, I cant see that there will be any bother about it. Charles will always hold out a hand for him but he is not a fool and wont give Harry anything that he can use against his family. Harry will do that by himself whether he comes ot the UK or not.
Odds are unless H gets over his wobbly behaviour, and has some effective therapy, and stops the endless silly books and interviews, he will only come to the UK once a year or so, if that. He will be tolerated by relatives, and they wont talk about anything deep with him. They wont criticise Meghan because it will do no good and conversation with probably be about the kids and the weather. but they are not goig to shut him out completely.

 

[Moran]

ANdrew's behaviour was worse than Harry's, pound for pound and the RF are goign to have to keep him under the radar for the rest of his life...
if you dont think that Charles is going to bring H back into the family why bring it up? Of course he will hope for some degree of reconcilation but at the present I cant' see any sign that it wont be a toleration of Harry for the sake of public unity and because he has shown a lot of signs of mental disturbance.

Because that was what posts were written for? Because I wanted to see how Charles' great love for his family somehow includes ignoring everything Harry wrote about William and his wife, including feeling entitled to predict dark future to their children?

I'm not saying that Andrew's behavior was better. I'm saying that as far as we know, he doesn't hate his family. With Harry, it's clear that he hates William. Like it or not, it's easier to tolerate someone who doesn't go out of their way to attack you, your wife, your parenting and your children's futire every step on the way.

Tolerating Harry is one thing. They all will tolerate him. I never said anything different. I just don't think showing public unity should include coronation. The rest of my posts today were in response to posts reminding us of Charles' love for his son and how they need a mediator to restore their relationship. First, after this book Charles is no more the most injured party and second, no mediation can be successful if one side doesn't want reconciliation. This far, we know which this side is.

 

[Lilyflo]

Or perhaps Charles might be able to empathise with William and draw on his parental love to understand that closing the rift on William, Catherine and their children's expense isn't very loving or parental.

Lilyflo, I'm not attacking you. Really. But you are one of the few people who talk about love and forgiveness on Charles' part without mentioning that Charles wasn't even the main target on Harry's hatred. Do you really think William's feelings can be taken out of the equation so Charles can play happy families with Harry? Because that's what I see in your post. The one who was attacked most maliciously should empathize with Charles' desire to heal the rift which isn't even Charles', mostly. And it can be done without the attacker doing anything to mend this rift. Because Charles loves him. I don't get it.

Of course not. One of the hardest things about being a parent is the balancing act of loving all of your children when one of them has hurt or upset another one. It's difficult but possible to acknowledge the damage and to support the wronged party while still retaining a relationship with the one who caused it. It's been over minor things in my own family but I've seen friends cope with serious issues amongst their own children.

William might insist on some boundaries and/or non-negotiables but ultimately, I think he'll understand that his father will always love Harry (despite being angry with him) and will want to repair the rift between them.

 

[Denville]

Tolerating Harry is one thing. They all will tolerate him. I never said anything different. I just don't think showing public unity should include coronation. The rest of my posts today were in response to posts reminding us of Charles' love for his son and how they need a mediator to restore their relationship. First, after this book Charles is no more the most injured party and second, no mediation can be successful if one side doesn't want reconciliation. This far, we know which this side is.

I think that Charles will invite H to the coronation. Its possible that H wont go inn the end, but I think he will and the public are not goig to have the vapours nor will william. Its really up to the RF if they wnat to at least try to reconcile with Harry, isnt it?

 

[Moran]

Its really up to the RF if they wnat to at least try to reconcile with Harry, isnt it?

No. It's up to one man and this is Charles. The rest of them just have to shut up and take it, whatever he decides.

Which is why we're discussing Charles here. And like everything else, it's up to RF members to do or not to do something. And it's up to us to talk about it. Else, why the forum?

 

[Ista]

A number of speculative posts have been edited and/or deleted. No one here is personally acquainted with any member of the royal family and claiming knowledge about their emotions or intentions crosses the line into speculation, which is against forum rules. Any personal opinion should be clearly tagged as that.

Also, while Prince Harry has discussed some of his mental health challenges, references to those challenges on this thread should still comply with forum rules regarding respectful discussion.

 

[Alison H]

The expectation in the media does seem to be that Harry will be invited. The King's in a very difficult position. The first Coronation for 70 years, the focus of worldwide attention, isn't an ideal place to attempt to mend a family feud. There aren't any easy answers, although personally I hope Harry stays away.

 

[Denville]

No. It's up to one man and this is Charles. The rest of them just have to shut up and take it, whatever he decides.

Which is why we're discussing Charles here. And like everything else, it's up to RF members to do or not to do something. And it's up to us to talk about it. Else, why the forum?

sorry but I can't quite believe that. Charles is a constitutional monarch, Not Ivan the Terrible, and he's the head of a family, not a dictator. The RF don't have to do what Charles says, in their personal lives, and if some o f the family want to be friends with Harry again, it is their choice and Charles is not going to say SHUT UP and do what I say. The RF are not people who have to obey the King, in all respects.....If they dont want Harry to attend the coronation, they can disagree, and Im sure Charles will understand and if they want to avoid him, they can do so iwht C's blessing

 

[Denville]

The expectation in the media does seem to be that Harry will be invited. The King's in a very difficult position. The first Coronation for 70 years, the focus of worldwide attention, isn't an ideal place to attempt to mend a family feud. There aren't any easy answers, although personally I hope Harry stays away.

I dont really see that it matters and I think that Charles should err on hte side of generosity, and not fail to invite his son. He can make sure Harry and Meg are in a safe place in the Abbey and they are not going to rip off all their clothes or run screaming down the aisles. It is a one off and Harry is one of only 2 sons that Charles has, and while he may be angry with him, while he may never really reconcile with him, he will want to keep up some kind of friendly front. THey dont have to kiss in the cathedral, they can meet and exchange a few words and mabye in a few years, things will improve.

 

[Moran]

sorry but I can't quite believe that. Charles is a constitutional monarch, Not Ivan the Terrible, and he's the head of a family, not a dictator. The RF dont have to do what Charles says, in their personal lives, and if some o f the family want to be friends with Harry again, it is their choice and Charles is not going to say SHUT UP and do what I say.

Who said this? We were talking about the coronation. The RF has no say in trying to reconcile with Harry on this occasion. I can't imagine Beatrice being asked if she thought reconciling for the coronation is a good idea and it carrying any real weight. If Charles wants to invite Harry, he will. If he doesn't, he won't. His coronation, his show. He isn't Ivan the Terrible but the RF is no republic either. The King gets the last word on this particular occasion.

 

[Denville]

i cant imagine that Charles will not discuss this with his siblings, his son and Camilla. Just because Harry comes to the coronation does not mean that they are reconciled, it is holding the door open and keeping up appearances. Charles is not going to force any of his family to do more than be polite in public to Harry and Meg, if they dont want to.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

What good would it do anyone for King Charles to officially state on behalf of the RF that he doesn’t want his son and daughter in law to attend his Coronation and insist they’re not ‘welcome or wanted’?

Apart of course from giving pleasure to journalists and ‘royal experts’ in the media (who enjoy crowing about so-called ‘snubs’) and others who want the rift in the Royal Family to continue for the sake of clickbait and to continue online disapproval of the couple on places like Twitter for years to come.

Sooner or later father and son have to meet and sort things out in a day long face to face get together and in my view it should be sooner.

Charles doesn't have to tell us anything. Make it clear to the Duo you aren't wanted or welcome. Come or don't it's nothing to us. But if you do come you are the bottom tier behind The Wessexes The York's, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson if she's invited
It's disheartening how the feelings of William and Catherine are discarded. William should not be forced to interact with Harry especially when Harry has shown he can't be trusted. Not should he be forced to expose his children to their Uncle who has attacked their family and future. William has a family to protect and Harry is trying to destroy it.

 

[Curryong]

How do any of us know that Harry is not welcomed or wanted at Charles’s Coronation. None of us are privy to Charles’s thoughts about his son. And placing Harry behind the Yorks (after what Andrew has done) divorced wife and all, with none of the Yorks working royals anyway, makes no sense logistically. Sorry, but it doesn’t. Harry is the King’s son, not a second cousin or similar!

 

[EllieCat]

Harry could go beside Tom Parker-Bowles, Charles' step-son.

 

[Curryong]

Harry is not a stepson but Charles’s biological son, so why would he sit beside Tom, who will probably be with his girlfriend anyway?

 

[yukari]

Oh boy, even South Park (an American animation series) takes a swipe at the Sussexes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625283176259293185

The prince of Canada and his wife try to find privacy and seclusion in a small mountain town in the new episode titled, "The Worldwide Privacy Tour", premiering Wednesday at 10/9c on Comedy Central.

Trailer:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625258880887566336

Kyle complains about a dumb prince and his stupid wife in the all-new episode, titled “Worldwide Privacy Tour” premiering Wednesday at 10/9c on Comedy Central.

 

[Denville]

It's disheartening how the feelings of William and Catherine are discarded. William should not be forced to interact with Harry especially when Harry has shown he can't be trusted. Not should he be forced to expose his children to their Uncle who has attacked their family and future. William has a family to protect and Harry is trying to destroy it.

I am sorry but this is just so odd? William is Harry's brother. He is going ot have to see him sometimes, even if its only once in 2 years. He is not going to talk in depth about anything with him, and he will probably have trouble with his brother unless Harry gets some mental health help and becomes more stable.
Harry can't harm the children, and he doesn't have to do more than say hello to them.
Charles is probably very ambivalent about seeing his son again, but he can cope with it. So can William

 

[Curryong]

Oh boy, even South Park (an American animation series) takes a swipe at the Sussexes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625283176259293185

Trailer:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625258880887566336

That has been going on for decades, since the old Spitting Image days featuring Charles and Diana. The 2020 Spitting Image’, The Windsors’ and the satirical US animated series ‘The Prince’, featuring young Prince George, are just three I can think of. Then there was the theatre play and following film ‘King Charles III’ haunted by the ghostly Diana. No US TV series is doing anything new here.

 

[Granada]

Yukari, thanks for posting that....really funny. Harry and Meghan being mocked now by South Park, Jimmy Kimmel and Tr evor Noah. Never a good look for The US based Sussex's who aim to be Global Influencers, to be lampooned here . Especially "dumb" Prince. Thats something that will zing Harry.

I guess I'm of two minds about The Sussex's and The Coronation. Charles is caught between a rock and a hard place. Maybe He and his Advisors feel that it is better if they attend and are kept to tight conditions, as they were for The Jubilee.

Rather than NO invite issued, and have The Sussex's turn up on American TV as "Special Guest Correspondents" for Coronation Coverage for say CBS with Gayle King. Where anything could be said.

Of course, maybe The Sussex's are ALSO mulling over either option I mentioned. Which road to take ? Try to make "nice" attend, or not, continue the "scorched earth" attacks against The Family.

Didn't Harry say he wouldn't come unless The Family apologized to Meghan ? Sorry, I don't know how or why they would.
,
The Sussex's are building their "Brand" for America. THATS where they will make their Money and burnish their Reputation. But seeing that the over saturation of all things Sussex with the fallout from the Docu-series and VERY evident spite fullness - bitterness in the Book, that Harry harbors towards his Family.......And there was fallout here. Definite pushback and questions about oversharing, vindictiveness and jealousy.
MAYBE They will seek to tamper things down for a while and let the dust settle.

Attend, quietly, no drama and try to keep- refurbish their standing in the eyes of America as members of The Royal Family.
It could be tricky for both sides.

 

[Toledo]

Oh boy, even South Park (an American animation series) takes a swipe at the Sussexes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625283176259293185

Trailer:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625258880887566336

I love South Park and can't wait for their “Worldwide Privacy Tour” take. The way the cartoon show is build, with old fashioned animation that reminds me the Marvel comics TV cartoons from the 1960s, allows them to produce a show based on current events very quickly. I can't recall the show but years ago they constructed one within a week of something being on the national news. Contrary to more complicated animated shows that require a year or so to be designed, thus missing current events.

Re the coronation, my thoughts are:
1. They will be invited to attend and bring King Charles' grandchildren to participate in the official photos.

2. If they decline, maybe an attempt on grandstanding, the USA media will use them as commentators to annoy us in the USA with voiceovers while the coronation is in progress.

3. If they accept to go, The Palace will have them on a reduced participation status both in the ceremony and on camera time to prevent a flood of complains from UK TV viewers on them.

I would like that just for a moment King Charles has a moment of peace and family unity so he can meet his estranged grandchildren. This might be the start of the kids being with Grandpa Charles once a year or every other year.

 

[Granada]

Toledo, that's a nice summary, and I agree. The only sticking point would be the use of The Sussex's Children in official photos.
I could see that as problematic. I remember that Harry and Meghan wanted to bring their photographer Misan Harriman to take pictures of Queen Elizabeth meeting "Lilibet" when they were in The UK for The Jubilee. They were absolutely turned down by The Queen. They met, but no photos were allowed.
Kinda strange and sad all around isn't it ? But the Family felt that was necessary. AND that was before the Docu-series and Book. Fears of being sold and monetized, especially in the US.

As I see it, The Sussex's, if they come will be kept on a short leash. As non working members who are under a cloud of suspicion too, they will be on very tightly scripted appearances. I think to placate William also, keep interactions apart. I can't imagine the Sussex's kids will be included in any official Coronation Pictures released. BUT, that could be a condition too, of getting the Sussex's to agree to attend.

Maybe just the King-Queen and The Heir's Family in official photos....The Line of Succession promoted. Ironically, what set the Sussex's off in the first place, when their family picture was omitted in The Queens Christmas Speech of 2019. When it had been featured in the year before.

There really is a delicate dance around all this. Will they or won't they. Negotiations. Conditions.
So unbelievable that it has played out this way. I have a funny feeling that nothing will be decided one way or another till the end.