Prince Harry and Meghan Markle urged to 'change the narrative' as King Charles 'isn't going to back down'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have to make a move toward reconciliation
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been advised to rethink their approach if they want to build a stable life outside the royal family.
Speaking to GB News at his book launch for The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service, King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex must “change the narrative” if they want to move forward peacefully and with dignity.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle urged to ‘change the narrative’ amid ‘rift’ with King Charles
Asked what advice he’d give Prince Harry and Meghan, Grant initially quipped: “Speak to Elon Musk, get a rocket to go to the moon,” before turning serious.
“I think they’ve got to change how they do things,” he said. “I’m not saying they’ve not got strong feelings, I know they have, but somebody’s got to back down. And the king, the household, they’re not going to obviously back down.”
Grant worked closely with King Charles, 76, for seven years. He claimed that it was unlikely the palace would make the first move toward reconciliation.
Instead, he believes Harry, 40, and Meghan, 44, need to “do something in order for it to go forward,” warning that without a shift in tone or strategy, the current tensions will continue.
I think they’ve got to change how they do things.
“It’s just going to keep clashing,” he added. “Otherwise, it’s just going to be a mess. You don’t go forward.”
The remarks come amid renewed speculation over whether Prince Harry will meet with his father during his upcoming trip to London for the WellChild Awards. The event coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8.
Since stepping down as working royals in 2020, Harry and Meghan have built new lives in California, signing major media deals and releasing content.
But while projects like the couple’s Netflix’s 2022 docuseries, Harry & Meghan, and Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare, earned global attention, they also deepened the pair’s reported rift with the royal family due to their damning allegations about their time within the monarchy.
Despite this, Grant believes the king would welcome a peaceful resolution, but not at any cost.
Meghan facing ‘difficult choice’ over royal reconciliation
Meanwhile, Meghan may find herself in a “difficult position” if Prince Harry begins to rebuild ties with the royal family, according to royal commentator Duncan Larcombe.
Reports suggest that this month, Harry could see his father face to face for the first time since February 2024. However, a reunion with his older brother Prince William remains unlikely.
In a May interview with the BBC, Harry expressed hope for healing. “I would love reconciliation with my family,” the duke admitted. “There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious.” He also claimed his father wasn’t speaking to him at the time.
If father and son do reconnect, Duncan believes Meghan may be forced to make a tough decision.
“Does she come with Harry and look the people she’s criticised in the eyes? Or does she allow Harry to come with the children and stay away?” he asked in New! magazine.
He added: “If it’s the latter… it would be interpreted as an enormous snub.”
Meghan last visited the UK in September 2022 as she attended Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral. However, on some occasions where Harry has returned to the UK since, Meghan stayed home with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
“She wants to be a hands-on mum,” Duncan said. “[She] was never prepared to make the sacrifice that royal mums have to make.”
Read more: Prince Harry may ‘meet up with two royals’ during UK visit as chances of reconciliation dashed
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