affront to Harry
Because on Sunday (October 2nd) the court published an explosive photo. At first glance, the picture looks quite harmless. Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate stand together in a walkway at Buckingham Palace. All three senior royals wear black, because the photo was taken when the royal family was still in their official mourning phase for Queen Elizabeth II. But otherwise the four seem quite relaxed, everyone laughs happily and Charles even put an arm around Camilla – a rare public token of affection that high-ranking members of the royal family otherwise tend to hold back. The photo was taken in front of a portrait of George III, the longest-serving male head of state in British history. According to the caption, it was taken on September 18, the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. And it’s that detail that the picture even more interesting power.
Because in addition to the little things that can be seen in the photo, one thing is particularly striking that you don’t see on it: Harry and Meghan are both not in the photo. While the picture with the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales die shows the present and future of the British monarchyplay the Sussexes in it no role – a very conscious decision by the king?
The image is reminiscent of a similar portrait taken four years ago for Charles’ 70th birthday. But: That was then Prince Harry can also be seen in the picture alongside William and his children. The fact that Charles has now made a conscious decision not to take the Sussexes with him in the photo shows that they no longer play a role for him in the future planning of the monarchy. And that’s no coincidence. Because on September 18, when the photo was taken, Harry and Meghan were also still in England. So it wouldn’t have been a problem Sussexes to take in the photo – if Charles had wanted it. The fact that he apparently consciously decided against it speaks volumes about who the king considers important for the present of his monarchy and who doesn’t.