Although relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family remain deeply strained, King Charles has adopted a notably more compassionate stance towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since their departure from royal duties in 2020.
The monarch has appeared open to reconciliation with his youngest son. In July, he welcomed Harry, Meghan and their children to Highgrove House for an afternoon visit.
The Palace described the gathering as a “private family occasion”. It was reportedly the first time Charles had seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in person for more than four years.
Royal historian and author Andrew Lownie told Our News Outlet that the King’s “more compassionate treatment” may reflect a desire to avoid repeating past mistakes, particularly those surrounding the Duke of Windsor.
The Duke, formerly King Edward VIII, abdicated in December 1936 so he could marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. His decision conflicted with his responsibilities as head of the Church of England and triggered a constitutional crisis.
After Edward surrendered the throne, his brother became King George VI. He was reportedly adamant that Edward and Wallis should not be permitted to return to the UK.
According to Lownie, Charles is mindful of ensuring that Harry and Meghan are not excluded from the Royal Family in the same way, particularly as the couple are now believed to be rebuilding their relationship with the monarch.
Harry and Meghan later announced that they would return to the UK the following month, six years after moving to the United States.
While Charles made clear publicly that the couple remain “private citizens”, he reportedly demonstrated his softer side again earlier this month by helping his son address difficulties involving the Invictus Games.
Relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family remain controversial, but King Charles has taken a more compassionate approach towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since their royal departure in 2020
Royal historian and author Andrew Lownie told Our News Outlet that Charles offers “more compassionate treatment” because he wants to avoid mistakes made in the past, particularly in the case of the Duke of Windsor, pictured with Wallis Simpson in 1942
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations initially announced on X that the country was withdrawing from the Paralympic-style military sporting event. He blamed the decision on the ongoing “Harry-Meghan nonsense” after the couple’s high-profile return to the UK.
However, in an apparent show of support for his son’s charity, the King’s private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, discreetly contacted General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to ease tensions. Uganda was subsequently permitted to rejoin the games.
Edward VIII’s reign began on January 20 and lasted just 325 days, making him one of the shortest-serving British monarchs in history.
“The Sussexes… have put the Royal Family in a difficult position,” Lownie, author of the best-selling book Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, told Our News Outlet.
“If they appear too unwelcoming, they will be characterised as acting out of ill feeling – as happened with the Duke of Windsor.”
Lownie added that Charles could face criticism from the opposite direction if he appears “too conciliatory”, with observers potentially accusing him of “giving in to the Sussexes”.
Following Edward’s abdication, the monarchy, government and public firmly rejected any prospect of his returning to the UK.
Royal expert Christopher Wilson said King George VI understood that allowing the Windsors to come back would generate endless headlines about their “showboating, their parties and their politics”, creating a “toxic sideshow” that could make his own role impossible.
In October 1937, only ten months after Edward announced his abdication, he and Wallis caused further dismay within the Royal Family by travelling to Nazi Germany and meeting Adolf Hitler.
Edward and Wallis married in France at the opulent Chateau de Cande, which was owned by pro-Nazi businessman Charles Bedaux.
He had agreed to let them use the venue on the agreement that the couple would visit Nazi Germany, where Bedaux had business interests.
The Duke, formerly King Edward VIII, abdicated from the throne in December 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson – a move which directly clashed with his responsibilities as head of the Church of England and sparked a constitutional crisis
According to Mr Lownie, Charles is conscious of ensuring that Harry and Meghan are not outcast from the Royal Family in the same manner – especially given that the Duke and Duchess are said to be fostering a relationship with the monarch since their UK return
During the quasi-royal visit in 1937, Edward was pictured seemingly performing a Nazi salute and meeting with both Hitler himself and other senior Nazi officials.
So rather than have an ex-king with Nazi sympathies on the loose in Europe, Winston Churchill packed Edward off to be Governor of the Bahamas until 1945.
On their return from the Caribbean, the couple settled back in their 14-room Parisian townhouse, enjoying weekends at their charming 26-acre estate to the south-west of the city, where they received guests including British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley and his wife Diana.
The Duke had hoped his exile would be brief but he was never allowed to move back to Britain, with the King threatening to cut off his allowance if he tried to return without an invitation.
When George VI died in 1952, his wife the Queen Mother blamed Edward and Wallis for his early death after he had to ascend to the throne reluctantly after the abdication.
Queen Elizabeth II was devoted to her father’s memory and followed George’s example by resisting schemes to bring the Windsors back into the fold.
Both Edward and Wallis blamed the Queen Mother for their banishment. ‘The Duke would have loved to return to live in the land of his birth,’ said Wallis in 1971. ‘But our way was blocked at every turn. We were never allowed to go back, and we never will be allowed.’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meanwhile, returned to British soil last month and are now said to be keen to spend more time with Charles and repair relationships with the Royal Family.
A source previously told The Sunday Times: ‘He [Harry] wants more of a foothold here, more trips back, less courtroom drama. And he always loves seeing his family.’
According to Mr Lownie, Charles is currently abiding by the ‘tried and tested formula of seeing how events unfold’ while also ‘keeping a dignified distance’.
And while the King is often depicted as a father who was a ‘product of protocol and boarding schools’ and maintained a ‘stiff upper lip’ at all occasions, the King has always spoken fondly of his affection for his youngest son.
He referred to Harry as his ‘darling boy’ in a 2017 interview for the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.
Harry shared how he and his father, whom he affectionately referred to as ‘Pa’, would ‘talk for hours and hours’ about Charles’s passion for the environment.
He also revealed how he valued his father’s opinion saying: ‘I do end up picking your brains more now than I ever have done.’
Mr Lownie previously told The i that while Charles took a more ‘sentimental’ and ‘very compassionate’ approach towards Andrew, William is demonstrating his toughness now to ensure a ‘clean slate’ when his reign comes
The King’s approach to Harry and Meghan differs sharply to William, who is thought to have had no contact with his younger brother after he quit royal duties (pictured in 2021)
However, the King’s approach to Harry and Meghan differs sharply to William, who is thought to have had no contact with his younger brother after he quit royal duties, gave a tell-all interview to Oprah Winfrey with the Duchess and released his memoir Spare.
Writing in her long read on the Princess of Wales in January, The Times’ senior royal writer Kate Mansey said: ‘Prince Harry is not in contact with William.’
The brothers are said to have barely spoken and have an ‘incredibly strained’ relationship after years of rows, while William is said to be focused on his royal roles and family life.
Mr Lownie previously told The i newspaper that while Charles is more ‘sentimental’ and ‘very compassionate’, William is demonstrating his toughness now to ensure a ‘clean slate’ when his reign comes.
He noted that King Charles struggled to ‘bite the bullet’ with his brother, which left William ‘annoyed and frustrated’, ultimately leading him to reportedly drive the movement to have the disgraced former Duke of York exiled.
And when Princess Anne offered for Andrew to come and live with her once he was ousted from the Royal Lodge, William is said to have dubbed the possibility ‘madness’.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that William reportedly helped drive the movement to have former Prince Andrew’s title removed.
Speaking to Our News Outlet, he said: ‘William is our future king. Thank goodness he has a ruthless streak, as this is needed in today’s world, especially with the monarchy among its most closely watched institutions.
‘He is clearly an excellent judge of character and has deservedly won praise for his diplomatic skills.’
However, other experts are hopeful that Harry’s return to the UK could see a possible reconciliation emerge between the two brothers.
A friend told Our News Outlet: ‘It’s too soon now but there is a hope and a belief that one day they will appear in public together and that will completely change the narrative. There is communication between them.
‘I don’t think people quite realise what a bad place Harry was in mentally around the time of that decision to move to America. He was so unhappy. He has grown up a lot, and having children has changed him a lot as well.’
Another added: ‘There is a bit of optimism that we might be starting to see a change in sentiment about Harry. It’s one step at a time.’
