Prince William was left 'appalled' by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's reunion with King Charles at Highgrove House, according to royal author Andrew Lownie. Speaking on TalkTV with host Jeremy Kyle, Lownie claimed the Prince of Wales believes his father is 'weak' for agreeing to the private family gathering.
Details of the Highgrove Reunion
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, met with King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, on Friday afternoon at the King's private residence in Gloucestershire. It marked the first time in over four years that the monarch had seen his grandchildren. Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit as a 'private family occasion,' but no photographs were released publicly.
The visit also represented Prince Harry and Meghan's first joint trip to the UK since 2022. While the Sussexes were at Highgrove, Prince William was participating in a charity polo match in Windsor, and sources indicated he had no desire to meet with them during their stay.
Lownie's Assessment of William's Reaction
Jeremy Kyle asked Lownie, 'What do you think William would have made of the visit?' Lownie responded with a single word: 'Appalled.' He elaborated, 'I think he feels his father is weak. The only way to deal with Meghan, particularly, is to be tough.' Lownie added that William 'wants to keep out of this' and described him as 'quite stubborn.'
'I think he feels quite betrayed, particularly about the way Harry's spoken about Catherine,' Lownie continued. 'So, I don't see any rapprochement there.' The royal author's comments highlight the ongoing rift between the brothers, which has persisted since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Palace's Stance and Broader Context
Royal insiders reportedly stressed that the gathering was simply a grandfather enjoying time with his grandchildren, according to the Express. However, the reunion has reignited speculation about the fractured relationships within the royal family. Prince Harry has previously spoken critically about his brother and other family members in his memoir, 'Spare,' and in various interviews.
Andrew Lownie is a well-known royal biographer who has written extensively about the British monarchy. His comments on TalkTV reflect the ongoing tension between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, with no immediate signs of reconciliation.
