Google News King Charles' Coronation: A Chance for Reconciliation with Prince Harry
by FARUK IMAMOVIC | VIEW 323
The upcoming coronation of King Charles III may provide an opportunity for reconciliation between Prince Harry and the royal family, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl. Despite rumors that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle may not be invited to the historic event, Nicholl believes that King Charles will extend an olive branch to his son.
"I'm not sure the reports about Harry being disinvited from the coronation are accurate," Nicholl said in an interview with ET. "My sources close to the King say that he will be extending that olive branch and that he will be inviting Meghan and Harry to the coronation." The plans for the coronation are also being revised in a way that could make the event more comfortable for Harry, according to Nicholl.
"The plans for the coronation are being revised and updated and one of the King's wishes is that Royal Dukes will not be made to kneel as they were in the former ceremony," she said. "That means that Harry will not have to kneel in front of his father.
But this is assuming that Harry is going to be at the coronation." However, Nicholl also acknowledges that it is still early days in the planning of the coronation and that Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed the guest list.
Despite the current rift between Harry and the royal family, King Charles will likely continue to hold out hope for reconciliation.
Nicholl believes that the King wants to heal the rift with his son.
"It is his son after all, and the King really does want a reconciliation in the long term.
But it was interesting hearing Harry saying that the ball is in the royal family's court," Nicholl shared, referring to Harry's remarks about what it would take to start the healing process. "I think actually, when it comes to the coronation, the ball's going to be in the Sussexes court," Nicholl continued.
"Because I think there will be an invitation from the King, I think he wants to be magnanimous, I think he wants to take a leaf out of the Queen's book. I think he ultimately wants to heal the rift and wants his son at his coronation, so I think they will be invited.
And [then] I think it will be down to Harry and Meghan as to whether they attend." "For the run-up to the coronation to be overshadowed by these headlines, by Harry and Meghan in this rival royal court um over in America, is problematic," Nicholl said, suggesting another reason the King would be keen on reaching out.
"So really, a reconciliation is going to be in the best interest of The Firm. Whether that's a real and meaningful and long-lasting reconciliation? Well that's the million dollar question." However, a reunion between Harry and his brother Prince William appears to be a long way off, according to Nicholl.
With the release of Harry's new memoir, "Spare", on Tuesday, it appears that the sibling feud won't be ending anytime soon.