King Charles III reportedly still holds out hope that his youngest son Prince Harry will eventually return to the royal family fold, although it seems unlikely at this point.
The 76-year-old monarch is said to have a plan that could heal the royal rift, but it hinges on a very sombre event occurring first.
It comes amid reports that the King has shut the door on Harry's hopes of returning to royal duties. Previously, sources close to Buckingham Palace suggested the monarch's response to Harry's overtures was a firm "not in my kingdom" or "will-never-happen-again".
However, one final act of the King will reportedly force Harry to return to the royal fold.
Operation London Bridge the funeral plan for the late Queen Elizabeth II, was devised in the 1960s when she would have been around 40. The code-name 'London Bridge' has reportedly now been repurposed for the new monarch's funeral.
According to the Daily Telegraph, this plan includes a significant role for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The source reveals that Harry and Meghan will be invited to participate in the family vigil during the lying in state at Westminster Hall, and are expected to be seated amongst the most senior royals during the funeral service.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their royal duties in early 2020, relocating to the United States and causing a fracture in relations with the rest of the royal family.
The divide was further deepened following a shocking interview with US TV host Oprah Winfrey a year later, and after the release of Harry's memoir 'Spare' in January 2023 the relations deteriorated sharply.
According to some historians and royal experts, the reign of King Charles III has been marred by the tragic rift between him and his son and royal health crisis.
It's worth mentioning here that Meghan and Harry were seated directly behind the King and Queen Camilla at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral at Westminster Abbey in 2022, a move by palace officials that saw them relegated to the second row near Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
