2023-07-14 09:00:00
Since their voluntary exile across the Atlantic in January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan have only made very brief appearances in the United Kingdom. And their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, almost never had the opportunity to meet their grandfather. The 75th birthday of Charles III could be the occasion of the great family reunion, which everyone hopes for…
After his coronation on May 6, when Harry was already flying to the United States to celebrate his eldest son’s 4th birthday, Charles III thanked all his family members present for being with him for this such a special day. He also toasted his three grandchildren, George, Charlotte and Louis, as well as “those who weren’t there”, before sending a happy birthday to Archie, “wherever he is”. It is certainly with real grief that the new sovereign is estranged from Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the two children of his youngest son.
Archie, born at Portland Hospital in London on May 6, 2019, spent the first six months of his life in Britain. He was only two days old when he was officially presented to his great-grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. On July 6, 2019, he was baptized in Windsor’s private chapel, donning as tradition demands a replica of Victoria’s eldest daughter’s christening gown. Six months later, Harry and Meghan publicly announced that they would renounce their official duties and functions on behalf of the British Crown before settling in Vancouver, then in California, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The links between the Queen and Harry have always been very strong, until the departure of the Sussexes. Here, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduce Archie to the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen and Doria Ragland in May 2018. © Mega / KCS PRESSE
It was there, in Santa Barbara, that their daughter Lilibet Diana was born on June 4, 2021. No other descendant of Elizabeth II had been born until then outside the United Kingdom. Since then, the little girl has crossed the Atlantic only once, in June 2022, on the occasion of the platinum jubilee of her great-grandmother. His parents had then celebrated his first birthday at Frogmore Cottage, their residence in Windsor Park … of which they have just returned the keys, breaking their last moorings with the old continent. Since then, Lilibet and Archie have been raised “American style”…
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Meghan’s shocking statements in her interview with Oprah WInfrey and in the Netflix docuseries, as well as Harry’s shattering memoir in the form of a settling of accounts, did nothing to smooth things over. The Duke of Sussex has made several whirlwind trips to his native country for the purposes of his lawsuits against the tabloids. In May, he stayed less than 24 hours to attend his father’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, slipping away at the last prayer to reach the airport. In March, the official recognition of the titles of prince and princess – with the predicate of Royal Highness – in favor of Archie and Lilibet (respectively 6th and 7th in line of succession) had however been a gesture of goodwill from the from Buckingham. Those who were previously only “Master and Miss Mountbatten-Windsor”, are now “LL. AA. RR. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex”.
The Duke of Sussex arrives at King Charles’ coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023. © Agency / Bestimage
However, their absence at the coronation had saddened the sovereign. A source close to the palace then explained to the newspaper The Sun that the king was “disappointed” that his daughter-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, and grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were not attending his and Camilla’s coronation. “It’s sad, he’s very disappointed not to see Meghan or her grandchildren, but he understands the situation.” It seems that Charles III is keen today to erase this misstep and appease resentment. The ideal occasion would be the celebration of his 75th birthday, on November 14, 2023. The British are already dreaming of a big party to which all would be invited, in unison. Provided, however, that the main interested parties respond favorably…
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