King Charles has been placed in a difficult position by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK, according to two royal commentators. The couple made their return in late August, a move that surprised the world, and while the King was informed beforehand, he was reportedly only made aware days before the news became public.
King's statement on private citizens
Shortly after their return, King Charles issued a statement informing officials that Harry and Meghan are private citizens and that their return to the UK does not change that. The statement reportedly took the couple by surprise and has sparked speculation about how the relationship between the monarch and his youngest son will develop.
It has been reported that Harry and Meghan are pencilled in to meet the King before Christmas, but it is understood they will not spend Christmas Day with the Royal Family. This would seemingly come as a relief to Prince William, who is reportedly refusing to reunite with his brother after years without speaking.
Commentators on the royal rift
Relationships remain frosty after several revelations Harry and Meghan have made about the Royal Family in recent years, including their interview with Oprah, their Netflix series, and Harry's memoir Spare. During an appearance on Unfiltered with Kinsey Schofield, Mail on Sunday Editor at Large Charlotte Griffiths discussed the tricky spot the King now finds himself in.
When asked by Schofield if Harry and Meghan's consistent revelations have put the King in a "difficult position", Griffiths responded: "Yes, absolutely." She added: "The King wants to welcome Harry and, I suppose, Meghan as well, back into the royal fold. And they will not stop pushing at this door of half-in, half-out."
Griffiths continued: "He's come quite a long way to actually just let them into the country, into his world. They won't pace themselves." She went on to say that Harry and Meghan always push for things "hard and fast" and that they should take their time instead. "It's just a really difficult position for the King," she said.
Christmas plans ruled out
Despite Harry and Meghan's return to the UK, an expert has said there is no chance the couple and their children will spend Christmas with the Royal Family. They are reportedly torn between spending the holidays in the UK with the Windsors or the Spencers, or with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, in California.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Express: "Reports indicate that the Sussexes plan to spend Christmas in Montecito this year. Meghan's mother, Doria, lives there, and Meghan has just released an Advent Calendar inspired by their Montecito home and garden. So this makes sense."
"This, of course, is just speculation," he added. "However, the chances of them being invited to spend Christmas with the royal family this year are nil. The rift with William makes that certain. That does not mean they will be excluded from the Christmas lunch for the extended royal family, which is held annually. We don't know if they will be invited to that."
In July, the King and Queen Camilla welcomed Prince Harry, Meghan and their kids for a visit. It was the first time the monarch had seen his grandchildren in four years.
