Following Harry’s comments that his father, King Charles, no longer speaks to him, royal experts have weighed in on the potential implications of a reconciliation. Harry has reportedly expressed his desire for his father to attend the 2027 Olympics in Birmingham, UK. While the reconciliation may seem simple and popular, it could cause serious complications for the royal family, especially as the Sussexes no longer trust each other. Royal expert Fitzwilliams notes that if the monarch accepts Harry’s offer, there will likely be public exposure for Harry, Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet. The prospect of photo opportunities would be hugely valuable to the Sussexes’ brand, raising concerns about the impact on the royal family’s image.

It has been reported that Harry and Meghan have added HRH titles to their children’s passports, wanting them to be able to become working royals. However, this is unlikely to be a possibility for King Charles or Prince William. The couple have recently been reported to have initiated a battle to obtain new passports for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, citing their long-term goal of allowing their children to choose their own royal futures. A friend of the couple said they believed King Charles was deliberately delaying the approval process, but Buckingham Palace has strenuously denied any interference from the monarch. The palace’s response stressed that King Charles, who is dealing with health issues and the responsibilities of the monarchy, has more pressing matters than a passport application.

Behind the scenes, the royal family’s response to the Sussexes’ ambitions has been one of mockery and disbelief. Sources say King Charles finds it hard to believe that Harry and Meghan believe their children could take on roles as working royals. He sees Archie and Lilibet’s future as more closely tied to Hollywood than Windsor, especially given the couple’s abrupt departure from royal duties in 2020 and their subsequent media ventures often portraying the monarchy in a negative light.

Prince William’s response has been even more scathing. “It’s clear that William will not hire Archie and Lilibet,” a source close to the Prince of Wales said. “This is just a trolling exercise for Harry and Meghan.” Many royal watchers see King Charles’ latest move as a necessary step to protect the dignity and future of the crown. William has made it clear that when he becomes king, he can revoke Archie and Lilibet’s royal titles.

As the drama unfolds, public sentiment appears to be shifting. Meghan’s previous grievances were met with much sympathy, but her repeated attempts to assert royal status while undermining the institution have begun to fray. What was once seen as principled defiance now seems to many to be a performative contradiction. As the monarchy reasserts control over its legacy and image, it is increasingly clear that the era of blurred lines and selective royalism is coming to an end.