King Charles may not be on speaking terms with his estranged son, Prince Harry, but he is still hopeful that one day he could reconcile and finally meet his grandchildren.
The doting grandfather has not met Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, in-person as the Sussexes have not travelled back to the UK since 2022. Even though, Harry made an open plea to his father for a reunion, Palace officials are not keen on any meeting especially since Harry “cannot be trusted to keep things private”.
Despite that, Charles, who is getting weekly treatment for cancer, longs for the feud to end before his time comes, according to a report by The Telegraph.
The Palace had continued to assure the public that the monarch is doing well, but his funeral planning has already been underway since it is a “set-piece ceremonial”. Sources reveal that these events are sometimes planned “decades in advance, evolving over time through briefings with senior representatives from the Royal household, the police, the military and the Church”.
So far, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are included in the ceremony at “the highest level’ and there are even roles dedicated to Archie and Lilibet.
“Arrangements have also been made for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the King’s youngest grandchildren, to attend the funeral service at Westminster Abbey, as well as the committal at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, should they wish,” the source told the outlet.
They added that the “Duke [is] expected to walk side by side with his brother, by then the King, at the forefront of the sombre processions through the streets of central London”.
Following that, Harry and Meghan “will be invited to take part in the family vigil during the lying in state at Westminster Hall and play a prominent role alongside the most senior royals during the funeral service”.
The update comes as reports suggest that Prince William has no plans to give royal roles to his niece and nephew once he ascends to the throne.
While the decision sounds like brutal blow to the Sussex children, William’s is not targeting the young children amid his feud with brother.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams pointed out that Archie and Lilibet are not the reason of the rift, Prince Harry is. Hence, it is possible that the grudge does not extend to the children.
“It may or may not resolve itself," Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “It would be simple for the HRH to be removed by the sovereign.”
