Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received a gesture of goodwill from King Charles. Tensions had risen within the royal family after the couple decided to step back from their senior roles in 2020.
In January 2020, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, announced their intention to live a more independent life in North America and Canada. They expressed their desire to continue supporting Queen Elizabeth despite stepping back from royal duties.
The following year, it was confirmed that the Duke and Duchess would no longer be working members of the Royal Family but would remain cherished members of the House of Windsor. However, tensions escalated when the couple shared their experiences in the Palace, including allegations of racist remarks before the birth of their son, Prince Archie, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Recent developments have shown a decrease in tensions between the parties, especially after Harry rushed to the UK upon learning of his father’s cancer diagnosis. Subsequently, the Duke and the King have met several times, including a recent tea gathering at Clarence House.
The Mirror has learned that King Charles extended an olive branch by prominently displaying pictures of Harry and Meghan at his official Northern Irish residence, Hillsborough Castle. Notably, images of Prince Andrew, who stepped away from royal duties due to connections with Jeffrey Epstein, were absent from the display.
A source revealed that decisions about family pictures within royal residences are made by Royal Historic Palaces, guided by royal family members, but ultimately approved by the King.
Following a formal meeting between the King and Harry, reports surfaced claiming a strained atmosphere, with Harry feeling like an outsider. Nonetheless, a spokesperson for the Duke refuted these claims, stating that reported details were false and likely aimed at undermining reconciliation efforts between father and son.
Hillsborough Castle, managed by Historic Royal Palaces since 2014, is a significant royal estate open to the public in Northern Ireland. It has hosted historic events like the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and visits from prominent figures like President George W. Bush.
During a visit in September 2022, King Charles faced an amusing mishap when he realized he had written the wrong date in a visitors’ book, followed by a pen malfunction, eliciting a humorous reaction from the King.
The Duke and Duchess declined to comment on the situation. Buckingham Palace and Historical Royal Palaces were contacted for additional information.