THE NEW PICTURES
Days after Buckingham Palace released its first official portrait of the socalled “new fab four” – King Charles III; Camilla, queen consort; and the Prince and Princess of Wales – the Sussexes released two pictures taken ahead of the One Young World Summit in Manchester shortly before the queen died.
In one image, Meghan looks confidently at the camera while Harry stands slightly behind her holding her hand.
In the second photo, taken moments before the summit started, both can be seen gazing at the audience. The timing of the release of the pictures, taken by celebrity photographer and friend Misan Harriman, raised eyebrows.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes the pictures show “the importance of profile” to the couple.
“However, they haven’t coordinated their activities with those of other royals since their departure, which remains problematic.”
Royal biographer Angela Levin says the photos show the Sussexes “aren’t going to let go of their attempts to be seen as an alternative royal family”.
“They’re in competition with the real royal family,” she adds.
‘[THEY] AREN’T GOING TO LET GO OF THEIR ATTEMPTS TO BE SEEN AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROYAL FAMILY. THEY’RE IN COMPETITION WITH THE REAL ROYAL FAMILY’
Charles and William extended olive branches to Harry and Meghan after the queen died. In his first address as king, Charles said he wanted “to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”. And there were hints of a reunion when the Sussexes joined William and Kate on an impromptu walkabout outside Windsor Castle to view floral tributes and greet well-wishers. But palace insiders say not much has changed in the family dynamics.
“Meghan and Harry had little interaction with the other royals, aside from the official mourning duties,” one says.
Harry’s feelings of estrangement were exacerbated by the fact that he couldn’t wear his military uniform – a privilege he was stripped of when he left working royal life. He was granted leniency for a family vigil at the queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall, allowing him to wear uniform as a mark of respect to his grandmother.
He was upset at not being allowed to take Meghan with him to Balmoral when the queen lay on her deathbed and had an argument with Charles that resulted in him missing his flight. Harry was the last member of her close family to arrive. He reportedly refused to have dinner with his father and brother that night, eating with his uncles, Andrew and Edward, and Edward’s wife, Sophie, instead.
“And he got out of Balmoral at the earliest opportunity to catch the first commercial flight back to London,” an insider says.
ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship says it was a “very difficult time for both William and Harry. They had to bury their differences and step out in public together.”
The issue of titles for Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie (3) and Lilibet (16 months), is also a thorny one. Following the death of the queen and Harry’s elevation up the line of succession, the children are eligible to carry the titles prince and princess, but the matter remains unresolved.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl says Charles is willing to give his youngest grandchildren titles. “But there is a caveat, and that caveat is trust.”