King Charles gave Harry a brutal ultimatum about Meghan’s return
“Today I can share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and following the orders of ‘doctors’, my own cancer treatment schedule can be shortened in the New Year,” Charles said in a TV address to the United Kingdom.
But while he celebrates his own positive health news, the king remains deeply troubled by the continued absence of Harry’s children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, from his life, insiders told us.
A source close to Charles said: “This is something that affects him much more than he’s letting on. These are his grandchildren, his own family, and he genuinely wants to spend time with them while he still can.”
Another insider added: “Charles is aware that he cannot wait indefinitely to bond. He is proud of William and Kate’s children, but it hurts him that Archie and Lilibet are not part of his daily life.”
Three months ago, Charles and Harry held a private meeting at Clarence House in an attempt to reconcile, although sources say Meghan Markle, 44, remains committed to keeping her family in the United States.
A source said: “Charles acknowledges that Meghan has her reasons for being hesitant about bringing the children to Britain and he is not dismissive, but he also believes his estrangement from his grandchildren has gone on for too long.”
“If Meghan really wanted a family reunion, it would have happened by now. Charles is not in constant contact with Harry, but they do keep in touch, and he has urged Harry to be more assertive and encourage Meghan to make this happen.”
Another insider said: “At this point in his life, Charles just wants peace and some normality with his family. His love for Harry has never wavered, no matter how strained their relationship has been.”
Charles is said to be proud of Harry’s fatherhood, with a source saying: “Charles sees how proud Harry is of his children and the way his eyes light up when he talks about them.”
“Charles felt the same way when his boys were young and he still does. He is proud of Harry because he is a family man.” Harry has previously said he wants his children to feel at home in Britain.
“The UK is central to my children’s heritage and I want them to feel as at home as they do where they currently live in the US,” he says.
A source said: “The king is concerned that the children may become disconnected from their heritage. As a traditionalist, he believes it is wrong that they do not know their family history or the country that is part of their identity.”
Despite it being almost six years since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties, sources say Charles remains hopeful of a reconciliation.
An insider said: “He keeps returning to the idea that this situation doesn’t have to remain frozen if everyone is willing to soften a little. He is no longer focused on blame. He understands that Meghan and Harry are protective, but he just wants the children to have a relationship with their grandfather, even privately and quietly.”
Another source said: “Despite everything, Charles has always had affection for Meghan.”
“He knows the challenges she has endured, including her father’s serious health problems, and still believes she has a good heart. He wants Harry, and by extension Meghan, to recognize that empathy and basic decency still matter.”
