Royals' drama-filled two weeks - cancer news, Harry's mad dash and website row
As February 2024 dawned on the Royal Family, many were expecting a quiet month of rest and recuperation.
News the previous month that the Princess of Wales would be recovering from abdominal surgery and that King Charles would be recuperating from a hospital procedure, a calm month was predicted on the royal front. However, in the space of just the last two weeks, the Firm has been turned on its head thanks to a series of events that have seen a shock cancer diagnosis, a transatlantic dash, an eye-raising interview and an unexpected change of heart from Prince Harry...
Shock news and mad dash
The first event in a series of unexpected developments came exactly two weeks ago when Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer. Just a week previously, he had been in hospital for a procedure to correct an enlarged prostate - and he personally told his sons Princes William and Harry the shock news.
King Charles's cancer diagnosis was made public on February 5 (Getty Images)It prompted Harry, who has a rocky bond with his dad, to race to the UK from his home in California in order to meet with Charles, who was at his London home Clarence House after undergoing his first cancer treatment. However, if Harry was expecting a long heart-to-heart, it seemingly didn't happen. The chat between father and son was said to be just 30 minutes with the King and Queen Camilla shortly afterwards catching a helicopter to Sandringham. Harry is said to have stayed the night in London in a hotel before catching a flight back to Los Angeles just over 24 hours after he arrived.
But despite the meet-up with Charles, there was no face-to-face chat between Harry and older brother William. At the time, sources close to Harry suggested he would have welcomed a meeting with William "if the opportunity were to arise". A source said: "The Duke's primary reason to travel to the UK is to visit his father. If the opportunity were to arise to see the Prince of Wales then the Duke would have gladly accepted it."
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'
But a source close to William said: "The prince's main focus is for his wife, who is recovering from surgery, his three children and now his father. There are no plans for Harry’s visit to act as some kind of vehicle for reconciliation."
William returns to duties
William's firm stance on his estranged brother also came as he himself was gearing up for a return to work following Kate's surprise surgery. It was announced in January that the Princess of Wales had undergone a procedure at the London Clinic and that William would be taking time off to care for her and their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prince William at a gala dinner for the London Air Ambulance (Getty Images)His first duty back was to carry out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle before attending a charity gala for the London Air Ambulance along with Hollywood legend Tom Cruise. Unsurprisingly, he made no mention of his brother's visit but did offer his thanks for all the support shown to his wife and father.
In a speech at the event, he said: "I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all." And lightening the mood, he added: "It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus, so I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all."
Elsewhere, just a day after this event, Harry was at his own glitzy gala as he attended the NFL Honours in Las Vegas - hours after arriving back in the United States following his UK trip. Harry appeared at the event to present Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award - but made no mention of his father.
It sparked rumours that he and Meghan would be attending the Super Bowl, which was due to take place just days later - however, this did not happen and instead, they prepared for a trip to Canada to mark a year to go until the Invictus Games there in 2025.
Website controversy
Before they boarded their plane to Canada, Harry and Meghan sparked controversy by quietly launching their brand new website - sussex.com. The major rebrand, four years after their decision to quit their royal roles in favour of making millions in the corporate world, links to their former 'Sussex Royal' website, which they were banned from using by the late Queen.
Harry and Meghan on a trip to Canada last week (Getty Images)The site uses Meghan's coat of arms, details their children's prince and princess titles and was later branded "exploitative in the extreme". The site is believed to have raised eyebrows in royal circles over fears Harry and Meghan could use it for commercial gain.
Back in 2020, when the couple shocked the world when they announced their decision to leave royal life, the late Queen and other royal officials agreed the couple should not use the word 'royal' in their new branding or trade off their HRH titles.
And even though the new website does not feature the word royal, biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward, believes the Sussexes have now "loopholed her command" - even though she was very fond of them. She told the Mirror: "She would have been hurt and angry at the latest developments. They have loopholed her command by using the slightly different name sussex.com with a link to Sussex Royal." Just days after the website launch, Harry and Meghan then made a series of public appearances at the Invictus Games events in Whistler and Vancouver - and then came Harry's surprise next move.
Kate rules out receiving romantic gift from Prince William on Valentine's Day
Shock interview
The Duke then gave an interview on US breakfast TV, where he talked to Good Morning America host Will Reeve - and opened up about the meeting with his father just the week before.
Prince Harry spoke to Good Morning America (ABC)Harry said he was told the news about his dad's cancer diagnosis by the King himself and jumped on a plane straight away to see him. He said he felt lucky to have been able to visit his dad following the diagnosis and added: "Look I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him I'm grateful for that."
Harry refused to talk about his dad's condition, saying "that stays between us". However, when asked if the diagnosis could have a "reunifying effect" amid their feud, Harry added: "Yeah, I'm sure. Throughout all these families I see it on a day-to-day basis the strength of the family unit coming together. I think any illness, any sickness brings families together."
Another bombshell revelation from the chat was that Harry admitted he has considered becoming a US citizen. He has now lived in the United States for almost four years alongside wife Meghan, who hails from California, and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Host Will Reeve probed: "Do you feel American?" Harry responded: "Do I feel American? No... I don't know how I feel." The host then went on to ask Harry what would stop him from applying for American citizenship. He replied: "I have considered it but I have no idea. I'm here standing next to these guys. The American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind, but certainly not something that is a priority for me right now."
Sensational return?
After completing a three-day trip to Canada, it was reported that Harry would be willing to step into a temporary royal role while his father undergoes cancer treatment. The Times newspaper reported Harry told friends he would step into such a role while Charles is unwell.
The duke and his father are said to have had several "warm exchanges" since the King's illness was diagnosed, it was claimed. A source told The Times: "On all practical levels it makes perfect sense for the family to come together to support the King while he's sick.
Harry and Meghan when they were working royals with William and Kate (Getty Images)"Much has been said on both sides in recent years, but that has never diminished the fundamental bond of blood, and there are now pragmatic aspects to consider, with the King and Kate’s wellbeing paramount in this. The details of the Clarence House meeting and subsequent conversations are private, but the feeling is that this arrangement could work."
However, a source later told The Telegraph there would not be a way back for Harry and the arrangement he accepted when stepping down as a working royal alongside in 2020, is reportedly set to remain in place. They explained: "Those terms were quite clear, and the King’s illness hasn’t altered that." Another told the newspaper that the view a hybrid model of being a working royal was not appropriate still "remains the case".
Meanwhile, the Mirror reported that William also told pals there is no chance Harry will be allowed back into the royal fold. A source said: "Whatever has been discussed between William and the King is private, but it is absolutely and categorically clear that he (William) would not allow Harry to return. He thought it was a bad idea at the time and he’s even more clear now.
"If anyone is going to take on more duties it will be William and that isn’t even on the agenda for now. His main focus is on his father’s health, his family and what is best for the monarchy. There is a zero per cent chance Harry is coming back in any capacity."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
