‘I’LL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF’
The distraught duke had every chance to see his grandmother before she passed away
He was already in the UK, after jetting into London with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex just days before the Queen’s health began to fail – but the late monarch would take her last breath before her grandson Prince Harry ever said goodbye.
According to British media, Charles had invited the couple to stay at his Birkhall manor, just a stone’s throw from Balmoral Castle, where the Queen passed away. At the time, the duo refused his offer, choosing instead to stay at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
Insiders reveal Harry’s reasoning was due to the pair needing to be closer to London’s airports, given they also had an engagement in Germany last week, but insist he definitely wasn’t interested in breaking bread with his father at that point in time.
Now, Harry is said to be riddled with regret for letting his pride get in the way. Ultimately, his decision robbed him of one final meeting with his beloved grandmother.
Tragically, Harry was pictured looking devastated as he arrived at Balmoral 90 minutes after Buckingham Palace had announced the Queen had peacefully died.
Further highlighting the gulf between Harry’s family and the rest of the royals, Prince William, in his statement about his granny’s death, told the world of his gratitude that “my three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives”.
In stark comparison, Harry’s children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, 15 months, have only met with the Queen for a handful of minutes.
“It was a painful reminder of all the things Harry’s family missed,” says the source. “Whether William meant for Harry to take it that way or not, that’s how it was received.”
The duke put on a brave face to greet mourners outside of Windsor Castle at the weekend, alongside his wife, brother, and sister-in-law Princess Catherine.
The former “Fab Four” appeared strained in each other’s company, with very few words being exchanged between the brothers – and none between Kate and Meghan.
Many commentators in the UK noted that the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex kept a firm distance from each other while greeting crowds. Interestingly, Meghan avoided getting too far away from her husband, with onlookers describing her as “nervous” as she navigated the crowds.
Sources maintain Harry played nice with Wills and Kate in honour of the Queen and he was clearly thrilled to be reunited with the British public, but the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English believes the reunion is far more of a temporary truce than a reconciliation.