Is Harry and his family coming to the UK or not

[Viviennemary]

Nobody seems to know for sure. Why should we care. Maybe he doesn't even know himself yet. He can't seem to do anything without attracting lots of press articles.

But it wasn’t private was it? That’s the whole point. If it were, it wouldn't be in the papers. This isn’t a private meeting to reconnect, it’s a step towards letting Harry and his wife back in, and that means back on the payroll. That’s the bit I object to.

That's all very well but the Sussexes are not wise, as we have seen time and time again. My prediction is that they will let some distorted discontent about the visit or the arrangements be known to a friend and it will appear in an American publication.

All of that makes sense, and I’ve been defending Charles for playing the long game and not being bounced by the Sussexes’ agenda. But I really feel this is a misstep.

@Ohpleeeease
Do you think any member of the RF actually cares what anyone objects to?

I assume they are flying back to California as we speak?

It is a very formal statement, nothing remotely sentimental or warm.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a quick 45 minute meeting, exchanging gifts, quick cuppa, Meghan with the megawatt faux smile, kids feeling a bit awkward meeting the people their mother hates and the woman their father hates.

Bet there was an all round sigh of relief when it was over.

Not at all, I’m expressing my personal and strongly held opinion which I don’t expect anyone to be particularly interested in, much less the RF.

In my own defence it’s hot so I’m more than usually irritable.

What this shows is they can get in and out of the country without being chased/photographed.

I, too, am discomfited by this move. Knee-jerk, I wish the Sussexes hadn't come and KC3 hadn't made this move.

But BP released the info, not the Ship man. BP are owning this. BP seems to have the Sussexes temporarily tamed and behaving.

We'll see (which is, I suspect, what KC3 and BP are also thinking.)

I hope that no-one makes themselves ill by trying to eat their cheese hats too quickly

I am sure BP have thought of that.

I think they do. They rely on public support (or indifference) and notice when they get too far out of line with public sentiment. QE2, for example, broke protocol when Diana died because of public opinion.

This is because, as an institution (of which KC3 is just one member ) they care about the continuation of the Monarchy until it can be pparlayed into something a bit more mature. So they will do unpopular things now because they can see a benefit for the institution in the future.

BP and KC. KC has never been banned from seeing his son. He can't win either way in this case. Even under difficult circumstances parents still choose to see there children.

Unsurprisingly he's long gone in mine.

Longstanding form for being played. Savile.

I think Charles is a poor judge of character but I did think he was showing some backbone regarding Harry.

They can never have a purely personal relationship, Harry cannot separate the two. He will always expect Charles the King to step in when Harry the Prince feels hard done by.

If they do, it will reflect badly on them, not Charles. So far the palace is being consistent with its messaging about the Sussexes, they are family members but not working royals hence everything is private.

Just because the Sussexes play flip flop with their messaging doesn't mean that they are any closer to whatever it is they want, and at this point I'm not sure they know what they want.

I'm not sure they know what they want

The best things in life are free but you can give them to the birds and bees.

They are here, sky is reporting they spent the afternoon at Highgrove

So, now the Sussexs have utterly failed to launch in the USA and no doubt burning through Harry's inheritance, is their intention to try and sneak back into the Royal Fold and the Royal Purse?

I wonder what they hoped to achieve with such a short visit. I don't really buy this private family reunion after 4 years. What's next. I heard he might be trying to get Charles involved with Invictus. Big mistake if the king does get involved imho.

I don't think there will be a plan.
It will take years to rebuild trust.
KC might be willing to consider having H back as a working royal but don't forget William pulls many of the strings.
I do not think he will be anywhere near as forgiving.

I do not think either of them would want Meghan representing them or the Monarchy. That bridge is well burnt.

Remember H last meeting with KC was a whole 20mins. What 2.5 years ago when KC was diagnosed with cancer.

There are massive trust issues between KC and H. KC isn't daft he knows H is after fodder for his next book / magazine article.

But that doesn't mean C doesn't care about H or want to see the kids.
They maybe both want to rebuild bridges but it will be a slow process

I said this on another thread. I agree with @Rhaidimiddim that ultimately this is a victory for the RF. It washes away all the bad press about the accommodation at BP. King Charles looks like a kind man. It was a significant gesture that Camilla whom Harry has trashed so publicly was explicitly by his side as the Queen.

It's exploded the myth that they can't come to the UK without security or that Harry is at risk. That's dead in the water.
It's clear to the whole world why they are here, esp after the court case, it has nothing to do with Invictus but because they ultimately need a financial bailout and to remind the world they are Royal.

And Meghan has had to swallow humble pie. This was a terrible racist nation, and she married into a terrible family. And after a string of commercial failures, she has been forced to come back, and have a private meeting with that same family and in fact, as is clear from the comms chaos of this week, essentially beg for this meeting.

I will be very very curious to see what media/comments emerge from the Althorp evening. If at all.

But if H&M now trash the RF again in an attempt to make a quick buck, no one will believe them in the US. This visit will be remembered for their comms chaos and for them coming back broke and desperate for the RF to see them.

Absolutely, @PotolKimchi.
They didn't get papped, security was more than adequate, KC was very accommodating and any photos are "property of the king".
All their lies are blown apart.

As I said, in retrospect I'm pleased I didn't.

But if you're going to trash a country for your own silly political rivalry, you frankly deserve to be called a wanker.l to your face from time to time.

It was a significant gesture that Camilla, whom Harry has trashed so publicly, was explicitly by his side as the Queen.

...and a damn good idea for her to be there and for Charles not to be the only one in the room with them. I hope there were footmen bringing tea and pop and if Archie told anyone to drive safe I hope Camilla corrected his English.

(In the Oprah exaggeration exercise, towards the end, they said that a very small Archie used to say 'Drive safe' to people who were going away from Villa Montecito. I was shouting 'safely' at the TV.)