King Charles and Queen Camilla have a packed schedule ahead. The summer months don’t mean a summer break for the royal family, but instead, many traditional events. With Kate Middleton out, other royal family members could step up in her absence. However, two of them won’t attend any royal events this summer, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The estranged couple’s relationship with the royal family is at it’s lowest point. King Charles is said to have done all he could to make amends with his son; however, this has been received with a cold hand.
This summer, as every summer, the royal family will have some weeks off and is set to spend time together at Balmoral. The Scottish castle, where Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, is this year for the first time opening its doors to the public. Recent reports suggest that King Charles is making a last effort to reunite with his son, daughter-in-law, and their two children and has invited them to Balmoral. However, one person who doesn’t like it is Queen Camilla, who reportedly fears that the Sussexes could visit.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have upset the royal family for years. The many accusations and revelations about King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton have left them alone across the pond. While the royals, except for King Charles, don’t appear to be interested in having any contact with them, reports suggest it could be the same the other way around.
Harry & Meghan’s ‘royal’ tour to Nigeria
The Sussexes are done with royal life, meaning they will likely never again represent the monarchy abroad. Royal tours are always a big event, and as early as this fall, King Charles and Queen Camilla plan on visiting Australia.
While Harry and Meghan have kept their royal titles, their mission to represent the monarchy is over. However, weeks ago, it appeared they were on some ‘royal’ tour, which made several royal family members furious.
It might have surprised many when Harry and Meghan embarked on what some saw as a ‘royal’ visit when they spent three days in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games in mid-May.
Harry and Meghan also met with wounded soldiers and their families, and the three-day trip was a huge success. However, the Nigeria visit is sparking different reactions in the UK. According to a royal insider speaking with the Mirror, King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton are “furious” about Harry and Meghan’s trip.
The royal expert told the Mirror that the Prince and Princess of Wales are not only angry with Harry and Meghan Markle. Moreover, he suggests that the couple fears that their nightmare has come true.
“William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in the future. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him,” Quinn told the Mirror, adding that William is upset that the Nigerians “treated Meghan and Harry as if they too thought this was an official tour.”
King Charles in discussion of stripping Harry and Meghan of their royal titles
“It’s as if Harry and Meghan have gone rogue — their Nigeria trip is a bold statement that they refuse to accept they are no longer working royals. William and Charles are scratching their heads and thinking, ‘How are we going to control this nightmare situation?’”
The royal expert concluded that Harry and Meghan Markle were welcomed in a way that included all the elements of an official royal visit. Quinn said the Sussexes’ speeches in the African country “gave the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals.”
“For Charles and William, it’s as if Meghan and Harry are saying, ‘We don’t need your permission to be working royals – we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like,’” Tom Quinn told the Mirror.
King Charles and Prince William might not be able to do anything to stop Harry and Meghan from traveling like, in their opinion, they are royals. However, a new claim suggests that the king has an ace up his sleeve.
According to Tom Quinn, King Charles has been discussing stripping Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their titles.
The Sussexes used their “Duke” and “Duchess” titles, which were labeled on chairs, during their Nigeria trip. Their website also reads “The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex.”
King Charles and Prince William have had “lengthy discussions” about stripping Harry and Meghan of their titles. However, Quinn states that doing it is also a considerable risk.
“They are terrified this would backfire and make the situation worse,” Quinn told the Mirror.
“The last thing they want is to give the renegade royals something else to complain about. William and his father know that even without their royal titles, Meghan and Harry would carry on travelling the world as if they were royals and most people in the world will still welcome them.”
King Charles to invite Prince Harry & Meghan Markle to Balmoral this summer, per expert
While he’s been furious with his son, King Charles tried to make amends with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. His son and daughter-in-law attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, but only Harry showed up for the coronation and left straight after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Sure, the king misses his son, but there are others to consider. Charles has barely spent time with Harry and Meghan’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. As a grandfather, it has been reported that he’s heartbroken over not seeing them.
King Charles and Prince Harry had a brief meeting in early February, as the king’s son wanted to visit and support his father amid his cancer diagnosis in January. Also, Harry reportedly declined to stay at Buckingham Palace when he was in London for an Invictus event in early May, and it is hard to see what could possibly repair the relationship.
However, King Charles appeared to have tried one last thing. Reports suggest he invited the Sussexes and their children to Balmoral this summer.
The Scottish castle has long been established as the private summer home of the royal family, and sadly, it was also the place where Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022, leaving an entire world in mourning.
But this year, the royal family will not be the only ones spending time at Balmoral. For the first time, the royal family has decided to open the castle to the public.
King Charles opening up Balmoral to the public for the first time in history
On its Facebook page, it was revealed that the public could take tours from July 1 to August 4, just before King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for their summer break.
Visitors will “learn about Balmoral’s history and heritage, including touring several rooms that are usually used by the king and queen. Moreover, the tour will include a collection of outfits worn by King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as the late Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mother.
“Since its completion in 1855, access to the interior of Balmoral Castle has been restricted to the public until now. For the first time in history, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of interior castle private tours – The Balmoral Experience,” the post on its official Facebook page read.”
“Learn about Balmoral’s history and heritage, led by our experienced guides through several of the exquisite rooms within Balmoral Castle.”
King Charles has been known to be a fan of modernizing the monarchy, and this could only be seen as another step in that direction, letting members of the public into one of their most beloved homes.
Speaking on behalf of Slingo, King Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold, praises the king, saying it is a “very viable business move.”
“It will generate revenue which will keep these properties running”
Harrold worked for Charles between 2004 and 2011.
“The decision to open up Balmoral to the public will also create revenue for the royal family and allow people to see rooms they’ve never got to see in before.I imagine the continued demand for tickets, despite the cost, will be unbelievable,” Grant Harrold said.
The former royal butler also suspected that the visitors could see the “iconic room” where Queen Elizabeth II had her last official photo taken with former Prime Minister Liz Truss.
“I’m wondering if that is one of the rooms the public will get to see, because it is such an iconic room, it’s possible it could be, but only time will tell,” he continued.
“For any royal enthusiasts, it’s a very exciting prospect, and equally of the East Wing at Buckingham Palace, the fact they’ve opened that is also a big thing. It’s been done for many reasons, but the main reason is, it will generate revenue which will keep these properties running, as they have massive overheads.”
Grant Harrold concluded, “I’m sure they’ll do absolutely fine as Balmoral is an estate and there’s a lot of money to be made on the estate. This is a very viable business move, as well as giving royal enthusiasts an amazing opportunity to see inside.”
While the royal family will be relaxing at Balmoral in August, the fact that King Charles is said to plan to invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle isn’t going down well with everyone. Prince William refuses to speak with his brother, and Kate MIddleton is said not to want anything to do with Harry or Meghan.
Still, one more person appears to be appalled by King Charles’s plan.
Queen Camilla ‘fears’ Harry & Meghan summer visit to Balmoral
According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Queen Camilla is not a fan of her husband’s possible invite and is dreading that they will visit.
“King Charles will issue the traditional invitation to Harry and Meghan to spend part of the summer at Balmoral, but safe in the knowledge that Harry and Meghan will make their excuses and decline,” Quinn told the Mirror.
“Relaxing at the 50,000-acre private estate might be just the place to let bygones be bygones, but Camilla will be dreading anything that threatens the calm her husband needs to continue his recovery from cancer.”
“Harry would love to see Kate and his expressions of concern for her are deeply felt but he knows that he can’t see Kate without seeing his brother so it’s not going to happen,” Quinn concluded, adding that the Sussexes will decline the invitation as they haven’t gotten an apology for the way they were treated while still members of the royal family.
