Many royal watchers and the media have noticed King Charles’ latest move, suggesting that he is reaching out to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, his estranged son. Despite the fact that Markle will not be attending the historic event on May 6, the monarch has featured a photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prominently in his official coronation souvenir program.
The picture being referred to is a commemorative family portrait, snapped at Clarence Gardens in 2018 to mark Charles’ seventieth birthday. As such, Lilibet and Archie, Harry and Meghan’s children, were not present. The snapshot captures Charles and his consort Camilla seated on a bench with two of their grandkids – namely Princess Charlotte and Prince George. Standing behind them are Markle, Harry, William (Charles’ younger son), Kate Middleton (William’s significant other), and the couple’s youngest child Prince Louis.
Others have suggested that the old photograph is a peace offering from Charles to Harry and Meghan. Some social media users have criticized the use of an old photograph. There has been no official comment on the source of the rift among family members.
In addition, SSAFA, an Armed Forces charity, will receive a percentage of profits generated from the sale of the glossy 84-page souvenir program.
Markle and her children will be staying at home in Montecito, California, while Harry attends the coronation. According to reports, the Invictus Games founder will sit behind the Prince of Wales and other senior members of the royal family during the ceremony, so he won’t be at the same time as his brother.
Next month, Westminster Abbey will hold the crowning ritual under the direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. According to the souvenir program, he will anoint Charles at the ceremony, and he will swap out his “robes of status and honor” for a plain white shirt. As a result of its religious significance, the anointing portion of the ceremony will not be televised.
A coronation is a momentous occasion for which nations hope for peace, justice, and the common good, according to the Archbishop. Although the event is expected to be filled with tradition and ceremony, it is unclear whether Charles’ use of the family photograph will affect his relationship with Harry and Meghan, if any.