I wonder if reconciliation is possible?

[sunnyblackwidow]

With Prince Philip now gone, the queen not as robust as she once was and grieving her loss, Prince Charles looked distraught today, Harry with a new baby on the way, memories of Diana's funeral today....I wonder if now isn't the perfect time for them to just all get together show their love for each other and clear the air (perhaps without Meghan's presence as she seems to inflame things).

I think it'll be telling how long Harry chooses to stay in the UK before he returns to the US (a clear indication of whether he's willing to hang around for a little while to mend fences or rush back home to Meghan and Oprah and Gail) I really wish the best for them all, family is everything but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm so pleased to have found this thread. I've been wondering this too. Will read the comments and get back to you all. They must all be so hurt.

Similarly Harry and Meghan can spend their £100 million from Netflix on anything they like. Let them get on with it. I don't think trashing an entire family and insinuating that they may be racists is a prerequisite for enjoying your money.
They have seen how the UK have supported the Royal Family during this period of mourning. It may not affect Meghan but it sure as hell must have hit Harry quite hard.

Some of the cousins will end up getting drafted in. Sooner or later it's common sense 2 people can't do all of it. I think so too. They will step up to support the Queen who is may I remind you is 95.

It was always going to be like this whether Harry was over here or living in the US. Nothing has changed. He saw it before when his Mother died and no doubt he'll see it again when the Queen goes.

Yes, Harry is staying here for her birthday tomorrow before he flies back.

At least he can't be criticised for rushing back as soon as the funeral was over as some posters said he was going to do.

@Roussette

It was always going to be like this whether Harry was over here or living in the US. Nothing has changed. He saw it before when his Mother died and no doubt he'll see it again when the Queen goes.

You misunderstand me. It's one thing hearing of a relative's death 1000s of miles away. It's another when you are faced with your weeping grieving family.

"At least he can't be criticised for rushing back as soon as the funeral was over as some posters said he was going to do."

It may have been said that he was planning to return to the US straight after the funeral (as that was the widespread understanding), but I don't recall him being criticised for it on here. Why would he be? It would have been a fairly natural thing to do, to get back to his pregnant wife and child as promptly as he could.

There were a couple of sarky comments and I remember pointing out that he had been over for 5 days before the funeral.

As it happens, he isn't rushing back.

@derxa

Some of the cousins will end up getting drafted in. Sooner or later it's common sense 2 people can't do all of it. I think so too. They will step up to support the Queen who is may I remind you is 95.

Exactly she's 95, Charles is mid 70s. He must be doing a chunk of her role. Which in turn means William must be doing a chunk of what Charles would normally be doing.

And Charles could end up with either a short reign or be like HMQ living to very old but a weight will fall on Williams shoulders sooner or later.

He is going to need support.

I think it can be understood from both sides if Harry had already returned or if he prolonged his stay. He has a heavily pregnant wife in one country with his elderly grandmother, who is in mourning, in another. I would be surprised if there is much birthday celebrating going on though.

I wonder whether any of William’s cousins (and spouses) would want a senior role though. The youngest, Louise and James, have been brought up without the titles Prince/as which I always assumed was to give them a bit more of normality; taking on a senior role seems to oppose that. Zara has a career already, I’m not sure what Peter does (other than milk commercials and covid testing supplies), so that leaves Beatrice and Eugenie. Even if they do went to take on more roles, it’s still a lot for them as well especially since I’d presume they are happy with their lives as they are.

"As it happens, he isn't rushing back"

Actually, do we know that? Has he been seen?

No.
His travel plans are private.

@Roussette

No. His travel plans are private.

How do you know he isn’t rushing back then? He may already be back.

I don’t think the cousins have any intention of being drafted in. They don’t have any responsibility to do so.
I agree that the Queen will hand over many more of her duties to Charles now and because Charles is elderly and getting older, William will end up being very burdened. The two of them plus the Wessex’s will have to divide it all between them. They will just have to drop many patronages I guess.

How do you know he isn’t rushing back then? He may already be back

Yes, he might be, let me know if you find out. I am not party to his private plans but I took a view from a number of press reports that indicated he was staying on until after tomorrow. Sorry if that is not good enough for you.
Is that OK? Or do you want me to explain more

No it’s just that you’re contradicting yourself.

Don't worry about it. Really not.

The part that irritates me the most is the idea that, 'oh so innocent' M had no idea what she was getting into. Like the shutting down of London for her wedding and all of the horses and carriages wasn't a big enough clue.

I would be pleased to see Beatrice and Eugenie take on some royal duties, years ago it was understood they both wanted to be working royals but Charles put his foot down as he wanted a slimmed down royal family, however I don’t think he expected it to be this slim. I think he should backtrack on that decision and bring them into the fold if they are both willing, they know the ropes and what is expected of them, I think they would be an asset (and before anyone jumps in and says what about their awful father, his actions are not his children’s fault and they shouldn’t be punished for his behaviour). B&E have experienced first hand the pressures of the tabloid press and have taken it with good grace, I think they could play a very good supporting role for the main players and ease some of the burden over the coming years.

@ZaraCarmichaelshighheels

I would be pleased to see Beatrice and Eugenie take on some royal duties, years ago it was understood they both wanted to be working royals but Charles put his foot down as he wanted a slimmed down royal family, however I don’t think he expected it to be this slim. I think he should backtrack on that decision and bring them into the fold if they are both willing, they know the ropes and what is expected of them, I think they would be an asset (and before anyone jumps in and says what about their awful father, his actions are not his children’s fault and they shouldn’t be punished for his behaviour). B&E have experienced first hand the pressures of the tabloid press and have taken it with good grace, I think they could play a very good supporting role for the main players and ease some of the burden over the coming years.

I agree. I think they would be brilliant at it. However they both have careers and lives. I can’t see why they would want the life of a ‘working’ Royal. William and Charles have no choice, but they do.

I think a superficial reconciliation will be achieved as it is in everyone's interests. Apart from everything already discussed I don't see how they can really bridge the cultural gap between the Queen's, Charles' and William's values around privacy versus Harry and Meghan choosing a gender reveal on Oprah to millions. Just completely different world views.

I also think Beatrice and Eugenie would do a good job. They don't have to do anything for charity at the moment but they do so voluntarily and seem to enjoy it. If Charles wanted to bring anyone on board it would have to be them; it would be very odd to bring on Peter/Zara/Louise/James ahead of them, given that they are all further down the line of succession, Peter and Zara have no titles and Louise and James don't use their HRH. I think Charles would honestly prefer to slim down the number of engagements that the royals do rather than bring Beatrice and Eugenie onboard though.

Maybe they wouldn’t want to be full time working royals like the Cambridge’s and Wessex’s but they could perhaps take on some engagements to relieve the pressure, but yes you are right they might not want to now as their lives have both significantly moved on, however they are both loyal to the Queen and if they were asked to step up I suspect they would. I also think the royals need a bit of glitz and glamour and I think particularly Beatrice and Edoardo would add to that, yes the royals need to do the grunt work of opening community centres and highlighting good causes but I also want diamonds, tiaras and designer frocks, the tiara burden cannot be carried Kates alone!!

I think the only way the monarchy will survive after the Queen is to do less, offload some palaces and definitely don’t rope in any extra members of the family.

No to Beatrice and Eugenie. Nice enough girls, despite the security payment issue, but I agree with slimming down the Royals. If that means the engagements need to be reduced then fair enough.