Fresh tensions have erupted between Prince Harry and the royal establishment following conflicting accounts about whether Buckingham Palace received advance notice of his recent trip to Canada, threatening to undermine fragile reconciliation efforts.
The Diary Clash That Sparked Controversy
The latest royal dispute emerged two weeks ago when Prince William embarked on his most significant solo tour as future King, travelling to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize Awards. The five-day visit saw the Prince of Wales meeting conservationists, addressing COP30 delegates, and engaging warmly with local communities, including a moment where he comfortably held a 10-month-old baby.
However, as William's plane touched down in Brazil, reports surfaced that his estranged brother Prince Harry would be undertaking his own overseas visit at precisely the same time. The Duke of Sussex travelled to Toronto, Canada, to participate in several events with veterans commemorating Remembrance Day.
The coinciding itineraries created an awkward scenario where the two brothers found themselves championing their respective causes on different continents, inevitably drawing comparisons and speculation about competitive timing.
Conflicting Accounts and Security Concerns
In response to mounting criticism that Harry's announcement deliberately overshadowed William's tour, the Sussex team issued a statement clarifying their position. They explained that the timing of overseas trip announcements is dictated by security considerations, as Harry "is not afforded the same level of security and protection as other working members of the Royal Family."
A spokesperson emphasised that Harry attended Remembrance events in Canada - dates over which he had no control - and that the Palace had been informed in advance "as a courtesy."
However, royal sources have since contradicted this account, telling The Times that nobody at Buckingham Palace or Kensington Palace received any advanced notice before media announcements. One source described the assertion that the Palace had been informed as "a bit rum," given the apparent lack of communication.
Remembrance Weekend Controversies and Future Hints
The tensions extended beyond the diary clash when Harry and Meghan attended Kris Jenner's James Bond-themed birthday party during the Remembrance weekend. Photos emerged showing the couple at the event, with Harry wearing a black tuxedo complemented by a poppy.
These images quickly vanished from social media, with Kim Kardashian removing pictures of the Sussexes from her accounts. While People magazine reported that the couple had opted against photo consent, a source close to the event told the Daily Mail that "there were no consent forms," adding another layer of confusion to the situation.
Meanwhile, communications expert Judi Bond analysed an essay Harry released during that same week, titled 'The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British – By Prince Harry.' She highlighted his phrasing "Though currently, I may live in the United States" as potentially significant, suggesting the wording leaves open the possibility of a return to the UK.
Separately, Harry and Meghan hinted at potential future travel plans in a letter to celebrity astrologer Angela Pearl, expressing their interest in visiting Australia again soon. The couple previously toured Australia in 2018, when they announced Meghan's pregnancy with their first child, Archie.
The ongoing disputes and conflicting accounts between the Sussex camp and Palace officials recall the late Queen's famous "recollections may vary" statement, indicating that the path to royal reconciliation remains challenging despite recent hopeful signs, including Harry's reunion with his father after 19 months.
