In a new revelation from Robert Jobson’s book, Our King, the emotional tug-of-war between King Charles III and his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, emerges amid the ongoing estrangement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the royal family.
It paints a vivid picture of a grandfather longing to connect while facing significant hurdles.
Despite being the grandchildren of the new monarch, Archie, who is four, and Lilibet, nearly two, are primarily raised in California, far from the British crown.
This geographical distance and the strained family dynamics have led to minimal interaction with their royal grandfather.
As speculation mounts about whether Harry and Meghan will mark King Charles’ upcoming coronation with their presence, it appears that the kiddos will remain behind in the U.S. Sources indicate the little ones were not invited, as they’re “too young” to attend such a grand affair.
Jobson’s text reveals the depth of Charles’ feelings towards his distant grandchildren.
Even with the complexities of family dynamics, those close to the King emphasize that Archie and Lilibet are “always in his heart,” highlighting his struggle with the current state of their relationship.
Charles’ first visit to meet Archie came shortly after the boy’s birth in May 2019.
However, according to Jobson, at that time, Harry and Meghan were already planning their exit from royal duties.
Jobson writes that Charles was genuinely delighted to see his grandson during this visit, cradling Archie with joy, unaware of the Sussexes’ intentions to withdraw from royal life.
Fast forward to June 2021, when Lilibet was born — this time on American soil.
It wasn’t until a year later, during the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, that Charles and Camilla finally had the chance to meet Lilibet in person.
Those joyful reunions momentarily bridged the emotional gap between the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Sources from the Jubilee gathered to reminisce about this significant moment, expressing that it was a deeply emotional experience for Charles.
The joy of introducing his grandchildren to the royal fold is underscored by a genuine happiness shared during their visits.
With Charles ascending to the throne, Archie and Lilibet inherited the titles of prince and princess, thanks to rules established by King George V back in 1917.
Their royal status was only officially recognized recently, coinciding with Lilibet’s christening, which reaffirms their position in the royal lineage.
However, Harry and Meghan felt slighted by Buckingham Palace’s delay in updating the official records to reflect their children’s titles.
A representative for the couple clarified that the children’s royal status came about naturally upon Charles’ accession, emphasizing that this issue had been settled internally for some time.
Although the palace website has been updated to reflect Archie and Lilibet’s titles, the couple maintains that they prefer not to use these formalities in everyday conversation.
Instead, they continue to raise their children outside the constraints of royal protocols.
The frustration over the title recognition signifies broader tensions within the royal family.
Friends of the couple lament that Harry and Meghan’s grievances over the palace’s actions reflect an ongoing struggle for acknowledgment within a system that they feel sidelined them.
As royal watchers anticipate the book’s release, the topic of family estrangement remains front and center.
Views on the relationship between Charles and Harry, along with the status of the Windsor family, evoke a complex blend of love, duty, and disappointment.
The narrative surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan continues to captivate.
Their choices reflect a desire for independence while grappling with the emotional strains of family ties.
As Our King hits the shelves on April 13, it promises to delve deeper into these intricate royal dynamics, leaving readers eager for more insights into the heart of modern-day monarchy.
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