Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to stay quiet following their meeting with King Charles amid hopes that they have "learnt their lesson." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reunited their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, with their grandfather for the first time in four years on Friday at Highgrove. Little has emerged about the visit in the days since, but commentators warn that the couple may be unable to resist leaking information to the press in a bid to boost their profile.
Royal Biographer Advises Silence
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie said the meeting could be the "beginning of the great reunion" between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, but only if it remains "a personal family matter." Speaking to Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV, Lownie stated: "It came off pretty well. But it all now depends on whether Harry's side begins to leak stories. I hope they've learnt the lesson that on some things, they're better keeping quiet ... Previous examples show they just can't resist."
Jeremy Kyle Expresses Distrust
Jeremy Kyle responded that he "didn't trust" the couple and was sure they would find a way to maximise public "adulation" for the much-anticipated gathering. "Brand Sussex needs a boost, and the only boost they can get is to have some connection with the very entity that they spend their lives slagging off," he said. "Without photographs or how it went or a little bit of inside info through another source, how is this going to benefit them?"
Background of Estrangement
Harry and his father have been estranged for some time, with the rift exacerbated by Harry's criticisms of the King, as well as Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales in interviews, his Netflix documentary, and his memoir since stepping down from the working monarchy. His relationship with brother William remains fractured, and the family reunion took place during the same afternoon the future King was playing in a charity polo match at Windsor.
Security Concerns Overcome
Harry had planned to bring his family to the UK while he undertook a week-long series of events promoting charities and organisations close to his heart, including the Invictus Games he founded. Security issues prevented Meghan and the children from travelling with him on Monday, but it appears concerns over safety were mitigated to allow the visit to Highgrove to take place. Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family when in the UK after his level of protection changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020.
