The rift between King Charles and his son, Prince Harry, alongside
daughter-in-law Meghan Markle, has taken a toll on the monarch, particularly in
relation to his connection with his two US-based grandchildren.
The strained relationship became more pronounced after the monarch's decision
in February 2023 to evict Prince Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage in
Windsor. This move, intended to address the growing gap between father and
son, unfortunately led to a further disconnect between King Charles and his
grandchildren, Prince Archie (4) and Princess Lilibet (2).
While Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis share a close bond
with their paternal grandfather, Archie and Lilibet have not had the same
opportunities for familial closeness.
Royal commentator Michael Cole expressed his concern, labeling the situation
as "very sad." Charles, it appears, has had limited opportunities to spend
time with Archie and Lilibet, raising questions about his desire to connect
with them.
The consequences of this strained relationship are reflected in the missed
major milestones in the lives of Archie and Lilibet, further deepening the
emotional gap.
Recently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined an invitation from Harry’s
friend, Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, where Prince William,
Kate Middleton, King Charles, and Queen Camilla were also invited. This
refusal underscores the ongoing challenges in establishing a connection with
the grandchildren on neutral grounds.
