King Charles III gathered the whole family to discuss the Prince Harry crisis before his UK trip!
According to Radar Online on Wednesday, the 77-year-old already had plans to host a private “dine and sleep” evening at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh before Harry’s travels, where he was joined by other senior royals such as Queen Camilla and Prince William.
It took place before the annual Order of the Thistle service earlier this month, but it just so happened to bring together the monarchy’s top leadership ahead of the visit. And it so it made the perfect opportunity to “deal with the Harry problem.” One insider dished:
“This was very much a senior strategy dinner – crisis talks, if you like. Officially it was about Royal Week and Scottish duties, but in reality, you don’t get the King, the Queen, and the heir in one room overnight without Harry being on the agenda.”
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All the royals in attendance wanted to address “managing Harry’s visit in a way that would not derail everything else the family is trying to do.” Oof. Charles, Camilla, William, and Princess Catherine were all very busy with royal outings around the visit. They didn’t want to get overshadowed — which, naturally, always seems to happen when Harry’s around!
Plus, things got so messy with the royal accommodations being offered and then rejected! Behind the scenes, advisers are still dealing with the “recurring psychodrama” surrounding Harry, one source said. A royal aide added:
“The offer of a roof over Harry’s head was made, as it always is, but he clearly prefers to be separate. That is his right, but it makes everything more difficult and sends a message about where he sees himself.”
As for all the security drama, a senior royal aide chimed in:
“From the palace’s perspective, this trip was put in motion with a clear understanding of what Harry’s security will and won’t be, so the sudden suggestion of a fresh crisis has caught people off guard. Royal staff feel worn down by the pattern of announcing plans and then publicly questioning arrangements that haven’t actually changed. There is genuine empathy for Harry wanting to protect his children, but equally a sense of irritation that these worries keep being played out in statements and headlines instead of being thrashed out quietly behind closed doors.”
And for Charles and his team, this kind of drama is nothing new, an insider reflected:
“The question the royals are trying to answer is how to welcome Harry without letting his every move become a constitutional headache, or a source of leaks about private royal business. That’s why you get an emergency summit to talk about his visit – because the Harry problem never seems to go away.”
Well, Charles certainly won the PR battle when it came to this reunion. He was able to meet with Harry, Meghan Markle, and their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, without any photos being taken. It was as private as it could get. Maybe the crisis chat worked!?
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[Image via Daniel Deme/WENN/MEGA]
