The ongoing rift between Prince Harry and the Prince and Princess of Wales has been a subject of much speculation. Recent reports suggest that the Duke of Sussex desires reconciliation with his brother and sister-in-law, but he is reportedly awaiting an apology from them first. According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Prince Harry seeks reconciliation to foster a relationship between his children and the Waleses.
However, he and Meghan Markle allegedly expect a “grovelling apology” from Prince William and Kate Middleton before mending fences. The exact reasons behind this demand for an apology remain unclear, but it highlights the depth of the divide within the royal family and the challenges in bridging the gap.
The reason behind Prince Harry’s potential desire for an apology from his brother remains uncertain, but it could be related to a statement previously issued by the Palace, which Princess Kate was reportedly involved in drafting.
In 2021, a year after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their royal duties, they sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a candid interview after departing from both the Royal Family and England. During this televised conversation, the couple revealed several revelations, including touching upon how senior royals had expressed concerns regarding the potential skin tone of their then-unborn son, Archie.
In response to various claims and revelations, Buckingham Palace released a statement that read: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
The revelations presented in the book “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown” by former royal correspondent for The Times, Valentine Low, shed light on the alleged conversations and deliberations that transpired among senior royal members and aides prior to the drafting of a formal statement.
According to Mr. Low’s account, the phrase “recollections may vary” was purportedly introduced by Jean-Christophe Gray, the private secretary to Prince William. However, more than one source attributed the authorship of this phrase to Clive Alderton, the private secretary to King Charles. Notably, at least two senior officials from other royal households expressed reservations about including this phrase, fearing it might exacerbate tensions with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Notwithstanding these concerns, Mr. Low’s narrative suggests that it was the Duchess of Cambridge, now the Princess of Wales, who advocated for the retention of the phrase. Her rationale, as cited by another source, was that “History will judge this statement, and unless this phrase or a phrase like it is included, everything they have said will be taken as true.”
However, the identities of the “senior royal members” mentioned in this context were disclosed in the Dutch edition of journalist Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame,” which named King Charles and Kate as the individuals involved. Consequently, the book was promptly withdrawn from shelves.