Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'relieved' over French state visit despite King's 'snub'
King Charles delivered a poignant message to his son Prince William during the state banquet on Tuesday, which marked the conclusion of the French state visit to the UK.
The lavish banquet, graced by the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with hundreds of other distinguished guests, took place at Windsor Castle. Here, the King gave an emotive speech reflecting on the Royal family's ties with France.
In his heartfelt address, King Charles expressed his affection for his eldest son, Prince William, commending his choice to set up his family residence in Windsor, highlighting the significance of the location due to its Norman roots.
"The castle in which we meet this evening was begun by my ancestor - and your sometime countryman - William, Duke of Normandy, in the year 1070," Charles remarked. "It remains the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
"So it is perhaps rather appropriate that my son, the Prince of Wales, who shares that earlier William's name, has made Windsor his home with his family, like so many of our predecessors," the King continued, reports the Mirror.
Observers were quick to note that the King's speech did not reference his younger son, Prince Harry, who stepped back from Royal duties in 2020 alongside his wife Meghan Markle and moved permanently to California.
While some interpreted the omission of Prince Harry from King Charles's speech as a pointed 'snub', Royal commentator Jennie Bond has offered a different perspective. The ex-BBC Royal correspondent believes the King's address was nothing out of the ordinary.
Speaking to The Mirror, Jennie Bond remarked: "I don't think it is significant at all that there was no mention of Harry. It would have been very odd indeed for the King to have mentioned him during a State occasion which was all about Anglo French relations."
Bond further explained: "His reference to William was simply because of his name, the castle and its association with the Duke of Normandy. In no way was this any kind of snub."
On whether the Sussexes might feel slighted by their exclusion from the King's speech and the French state visit, Jennie commented: "I don't imagine Harry or Meghan will have paid much attention to the Macron visit."
She added: "If they did, they would probably feel relieved that they don't have to get dressed up and perform what is a very delicate and probably quite stressful diplomatic duty."
The relationship between Prince Harry and King Charles has been notably tense over recent years, which could explain why the monarch chose not to mention the Duke of Sussex in his formal remarks.
Prince Harry has expressed to the BBC his desire for "love a reconciliation" with his father, although he has suggested that King Charles is unwilling to engage in conversation with him.
"There's no point continuing to fight anymore, life is precious," Harry remarked, further noting that he has "forgiven" them for their numerous "disagreements."
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