Prince Harry risks 'permanent divorce from royal family' if he returns unapologetic to UK for funeral, warns expert
Prince Harry reportedly “risks permanent royal divorce” if he returns home unapologetic, as per a royal expert. Renowned biographer Tom Bower said the Duke of Sussex may never heal the rift with other royal family members if he is unapologetic at Prince Philip's funeral next Saturday.
The relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family has experienced a substantial amount of stress in recent years. The Sussexes moving away from the royal household, followed by their last month’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they alleged racism reportedly added to the strain.
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The Duke of Sussex is due to travel for the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip on Saturday, although Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant with a baby girl will remain in the US on doctor's advice. A source said that Meghan made “every effort” to travel but didn’t receive medical clearance from her physician.
While many are hoping that the circumstances of Harry's return will help heal the rift growing between himself and brother William, things are likely to be tense. It will, after all, be the first time Harry will meet other members of his family since the controversial interview.
Tom Bower, a British journalist known for his investigative reporting and for his unauthorized biographies, said that Harry must not be unapologetic for recent events, or that he would risk being "permanently divorced" from the family. In a column, he said, "Now, Harry faces a moment of reckoning. The negotiations for his return to Britain for the funeral are certain to be fraught. The tension will not be helped by the small number of mourners allowed at the funeral -- just 30 because of Covid restrictions. Much will depend on whether Charles and William are willing to seek reconciliation.”
“That will depend on Harry himself,” he wrote. “If he arrives as a self-righteous, unapologetic warrior, he risks sealing a permanent divorce from his family. If, in the sight of Philip’s coffin and his grieving grandmother, he is contrite, he might begin to rebuild a relationship with Charles and William."
After Prince Philip’s passing, Meghan and Harry released a statement about Philip on the homepage of the website for their non-profit, Archewell: "In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021. Thank you for your service... You will be greatly missed."
However, within minutes of the British royal family announcing the passing of Prince Philip, 'Fox & Friends' placed the blame of the senior royal’s death on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Brian Kilmeade, the host of the show, drew connections between the duke's passing with Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah. He said, "Piers Morgan was saying on his morning show, which he famously walked off of, is like ‘Really? Your grandfather is in the hospital, you know he’s not doing well, is this really the time you have to put out this interview?’ Evidently, it definitely added to his stress.”