The translation of the text is: «Crisis in the royal family: William’s reaction to the meeting with Harry»
3 august 2026 в 15:50
As I have mentioned several times last year, it seemed that Prince William had some sort of breakdown in September, right after Prince Harry had tea at Clarence House with King Charles. It was clear that Kensington Palace was spreading rumors about anger and drama surrounding that meeting, but even supporters of the monarchy said, «William is not handling this situation at all». Royal commentators openly discussed that William was essentially on the brink because Harry and Charles spent just an hour together. I was waiting to see if the big «Highgrove Summit» involving the entire Sussex family and meetings with Charles and Camilla would lead to similar gloomy stories. While some such stories did emerge, Kensington Palace was much more restrained regarding the meeting on July 10. But then the Duchess of Sussex posted a carousel on Instagram that shocked the nation. This seemed to cause more turmoil in Kensington Palace than the meeting at Highgrove, didn’t it? Now Emily Andrews is using the words «betrayed and humiliated» to describe… William and Kate. Oh.
Betrayed and perhaps even humiliated. As I understand it, that was how Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, reacted after King Charles’s meeting with the Sussexes, which was a gesture of goodwill. Of course, why wouldn’t they feel that way? They have faced humiliation from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle more than once, and seeing them return to the UK must be painful. And let’s not even talk about betrayal—the couple that has repeatedly complained about the royal family and made terrible accusations.
Of course, the family meeting at Highgrove (Harry's childhood home) might have lasted only a couple of hours—perhaps just enough time for Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to play in the treehouse that Charles built for William in his childhood. This was confirmed by Buckingham Palace within hours of the visit (although they did not provide further details or publish a photograph), and it seemed to announce a policy of appeasement towards the Sussexes. Regardless of what they may say or do, despite the hatred directed against British justice, the government, or even the monarchy itself, they will not be expelled.
This must be humiliating for William and Kate, who are believed to want nothing to do with the Sussexes and likely urged the King to do the same. They were offended and betrayed by Harry’s departure from the monarchy, and his subsequent outbursts—in interviews with Oprah, on Netflix, and in the memoir «Spare"—must still be painful. I understand that William believes this couple should not be rewarded with a family meeting, no matter how private it may be, with the King. His father went along with it, while William bears an increasingly growing share of the real work and popularity of the monarchy.
Charles’s primary duty is not to the «spare» heir but to the heir and his wife. This is something Queen Elizabeth II understood and upheld for 70 years: the institution comes first, feelings come second. Because this meeting looks like a triumph for Harry and Meghan. Creating every impression that they have been working on this for the last 18 months, their intentions seemed clear: to restore their standing in Britain and return to the family, which would only strengthen their brand.
Only time will tell if this will mark the beginning of more regular visits to the UK. And if that happens, it will be a collapse of «Megxit». After all, this will be exactly the «half-in/half-out» that the late Queen explicitly forbade. And what can William and Kate do? Honestly, not much, until William becomes king.
I have been told that he rarely speaks about Harry in royal circles these days, but this capitulation from his father will undoubtedly be painful. After all, just three weeks before the visit, the palace referred to Harry’s refusal to bring his children to the UK until he received the security he wanted as «emotional blackmail». After the reunion at Highgrove, the tone changed completely. Charles «will never close the door on the possibility…»
Betrayed and perhaps even humiliated. As I understand it, that was how Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, reacted after King Charles’s meeting with the Sussexes, which was a gesture of goodwill. Of course, why wouldn’t they feel that way? They have faced humiliation from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle more than once, and seeing them return to the UK must be painful. And let’s not even talk about betrayal—the couple that has repeatedly complained about the royal family and made terrible accusations.
Of course, the family meeting at Highgrove (Harry's childhood home) might have lasted only a couple of hours—perhaps just enough time for Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to play in the treehouse that Charles built for William in his childhood. This was confirmed by Buckingham Palace within hours of the visit (although they did not provide further details or publish a photograph), and it seemed to announce a policy of appeasement towards the Sussexes. Regardless of what they may say or do, despite the hatred directed against British justice, the government, or even the monarchy itself, they will not be expelled.
This must be humiliating for William and Kate, who are believed to want nothing to do with the Sussexes and likely urged the King to do the same. They were offended and betrayed by Harry’s departure from the monarchy, and his subsequent outbursts—in interviews with Oprah, on Netflix, and in the memoir «Spare"—must still be painful. I understand that William believes this couple should not be rewarded with a family meeting, no matter how private it may be, with the King. His father went along with it, while William bears an increasingly growing share of the real work and popularity of the monarchy.
Charles’s primary duty is not to the «spare» heir but to the heir and his wife. This is something Queen Elizabeth II understood and upheld for 70 years: the institution comes first, feelings come second. Because this meeting looks like a triumph for Harry and Meghan. Creating every impression that they have been working on this for the last 18 months, their intentions seemed clear: to restore their standing in Britain and return to the family, which would only strengthen their brand.
Only time will tell if this will mark the beginning of more regular visits to the UK. And if that happens, it will be a collapse of «Megxit». After all, this will be exactly the «half-in/half-out» that the late Queen explicitly forbade. And what can William and Kate do? Honestly, not much, until William becomes king.
I have been told that he rarely speaks about Harry in royal circles these days, but this capitulation from his father will undoubtedly be painful. After all, just three weeks before the visit, the palace referred to Harry’s refusal to bring his children to the UK until he received the security he wanted as «emotional blackmail». After the reunion at Highgrove, the tone changed completely. Charles «will never close the door on the possibility…»
© Artemenko Olga
