Prince Harry's latest move branded 'ironic' after sharing hopes to reconcile with Royals

Edinburgh Live

27-05-2025

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
A reported decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to launch their own household has been branded an ironic, but vital step towards some form of public rehabilitation, especially in the UK.
It was reported last week that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had decided to create their own version of the 'royal' household as they continue their fresh start in the USA.
This development involves a reshuffle of their core team to resemble the Royal staffing hierarchy, which was familiar to Harry during his time as a senior Royal.
The revamped 11-strong squad will be led by communications ace Meredith Kendall Maines and operate independently from their non-profit venture, Archewell.
Speculation ties this shift to Prince Harry's desire to heal fractured ties with the Royal Family, as aired in his revealing interview with the BBC's Nada Tawfik earlier in the year.
In that interview, he told Tawfik: "There have been so many disagreements, differences, between me and some of my family.
"This current situation that has been now ongoing for five years with regard to human life and safety is the sticking point. It is the only thing that's left. Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book.
"Of course they will never forgive me for lots of things. But you know, there is... I would love reconciliation with my family. I've always, you know, there's no point in continuing to fight anymore."
Alongside expressing a wish to reconcile with his family, Prince Harry has been making regular trips back to the UK, most notably to visit King Charles following his cancer diagnosis last year.
In addition, the Invictus Games, founded by Harry, will be returning to the UK in 2027, taking place in Birmingham.
Alongside the return of the Invictus Games to British soil, Harry is also on the cusp of launching his own commercial venture.
This has led to speculation that these moves are part of a strategy to improve his image in the UK ahead of the event in two years' time, particularly after a YouGov poll revealed only 27 percent of Britons hold a positive view of him.
It has been suggested that Harry may have been inspired by the redemption experienced by Queen Camilla in the early-2000s, which has seen her become one of the most cherished members of the Royal Family.
Commenting on the decision to launch a 'royal' style household, expert Charlotte Griffiths suggests that this could be a response to Harry's desire to replicate the structure he has lost.
In the Mail, she wrote: "How ironic that Harry now favours the rigid hierarchical structure of the kind he has consistently railed against since 'escaping' Kensington Palace.
"Sometimes the grass isn't always greener, even if it is a manicured seven-acre lawn in exclusive Montecito. After all, a royal household is all he's ever known."
The potential for reconciliation between Harry and the rest of the Royal Family has been a topic of much speculation, with Channel 5's documentary 'Harry: Can He Ever Be Forgiven?' delving into the matter.
Royal commentator Countess Julie Montagu shared her thoughts in the documentary, suggesting that Harry must initiate the healing process.
Ms. Montagu commented: "The public wants to forgive, but it needs to start with Harry. Number one, stop any kind of interview where you're mentioning any member of your family - end of story.
"And then number two, if you really want to make that reconciliation, whether that's private or public, start that. Once that reconciliation begins, then the public can be made aware of that."
While Prince Harry might be considering how to mend fences, other Royal experts, like Jennie Bond, have voiced concerns that his rift with Prince William could be permanent.
Speaking to the Mirror, Jennie discussed the possibility that William may never bridge the gap with Harry.
She said: "William may remain estranged from his brother forever, even though this would be a very sad state of affairs.
"But, if he does, I think he will continue to regard Harry simply as irrelevant to his life and to this country. And I don't think he would trouble himself with taking away either of their titles."