As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, celebrated his fifth birthday in the US on Monday, concerns have arisen regarding potential misunderstandings between King Charles and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during their strained relationship.
Reports suggest that the monarch hesitated to send a gift to Prince Archie for his birthday, fearing that his gesture might be misinterpreted by the Sussexes.
Royal commentator Tom Quinn indicated that King Charles contemplated sending a homemade gift, possibly one of his own watercolour paintings, as Meghan prefers such personalized presents over extravagant ones. However, there's apprehension within the King's circle about how the gift might be received by Harry and Meghan.
Quinn recounted a previous instance where Charles gifted Prince George a hand-made swing, engraved with the royal's name, but claimed that Prince Harry expressed reservations about such grand gestures for Archie.
King Charles, known for his passion for painting, has considered sharing one of his artworks with Archie, reflecting his appreciation for art and nature. However, concerns persist about potential misinterpretations.
The monarch's artistic pursuits have been a significant part of his life since the 1970s when he was inspired by his art teacher at Gordonstoun in Scotland. Reports suggest that Charles has generated significant revenue from the sale of his paintings over the years.
Quinn also speculated that King Charles might have attempted to arrange a video call with Prince Harry for Archie's birthday, allowing him to connect with his grandson directly, albeit with apprehension about involving Meghan in the conversation.
