In the week after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s four-day trip to Salt Island, none of the royal commentators can actually settle on a coherent narrative. They’re all quite sure that the royal family went out of their way to “snub” Meghan and Harry, but they’re also quite convinced that Meghan and Harry deserved to be snubbed for, like, daring to be low-key and quiet, and for speaking to Oprah last year, etc. There are a few facts which everyone can agree on: William and Harry were kept apart, and it didn’t seem like they had much interest in burying the hatchet.
I don’t know if I believe about the story that the Sussexes actually invited the Cambridges over to Frogmore Cottage for Lilibet’s first birthday, but I do know that the Queen sent the Cambridges to Wales on Lili’s birthday for a reason. “Royal expert” Christopher Andersen told Us Weekly that “William and Kate made no effort at all to introduce Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to [Lili]” and there is still “a lot of tension” between the Sussexes and Cambridges. The idea that William and Kate are the ones choosing to snub Harry and Meghan is pretty popular on Salt Island, as is the idea that William is somehow encouraging a generational feud between their children and/or that the Cambridges don’t want their kids to play with their one-quarter Black cousins. Meanwhile, People Mag’s sources say that all of it was simply an effort to keep the focus on the Queen:
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not publicly interact with Prince William and Kate Middleton during their time together in the U.K.
“It was meant to be all about the Queen, and it didn’t give people the chance to speculate about their relationship,” a royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue.
At St. Paul’s Cathedral, as Prince William and Kate made their way to their seats in the front row, there was no eye contact between the couple and Prince Harry and Meghan, who were seated in the second row alongside Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and their husbands. There was also no interaction between the Sussexes and Cambridges as they left the service. In addition, when Prince Charles passed by the row with Meghan and Harry, he was photographed looking away.
“They aren’t part of the [working] royal family anymore, and that’s a decision they have taken — but maybe [the public] hasn’t quite accepted that yet,” says a source who knows the couple. “Yes, they were low-key. They paid their respects and went home.” The source adds, “They were really here to see the Queen, and they did.”
“…It didn’t give people the chance to speculate about their relationship…” LOL, that’s literally what all of the royal experts have been doing since the Jubbly. Does this royal expert actually know any other royal experts? One of the things driving me crazy is that around this time last year, Harry was back in the UK to unveil the Diana statue. There were months of royal-expert freakouts and leaks from Kensington Palace about the state of the brothers’ relationship and… at the end of the day, they were both able to put aside their animosity for a few hours to honor their mother. It was fine. I imagine William and Harry would have been capable of doing something similar again if the Queen had asked them to. She didn’t ask. Charles didn’t ask. Because everyone wanted as little drama as possible. Plus, I have a sneaking suspicion that William was able to play nice at the Diana statue unveiling simply because Meghan wasn’t there. Which is really curious, huh.
It’s giving sad witch. 😁 pic.twitter.com/sNtrAMVVRA
— Vee 🎙 Sussex Set Podcast (@MeghanMood) June 3, 2022
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.
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- North America Rights Only, London, England – 20220603- National Service of Thanksgiving On Day Two Of The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations -PICTURED: Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry -PHOTO by: PA Images/INSTARimages.com -67259710 Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
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- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696613912, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696614407, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate the Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696618200, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696621832, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on day two of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II. The National Service marks The Queen’s 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Public service is at the heart of the event and over 400 recipients of Honours in the New Year or Birthday Honours lists have been invited in recognition of their contribution to public life. Drawn from all four nations of the United Kingdom, they include NHS and key workers, teaching staff, public servants, and representatives from the Armed Forces, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.,Image: 696633859, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty O’Connor / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate the Duchess of Cambridge leave after a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696633875, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at St Paul’s cathedral for the service of thanksgiving for the Queen.,Image: 696641136, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Pohle / Avalon
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- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at St Paul’s cathedral for the service of thanksgiving for the Queen.,Image: 696641226, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Pohle / Avalon
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- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave after a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696642820, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- His Royal Highness Prince William – the Duke Of Cambridge and Her Royal Highness Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge depart a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England, UK on Friday 3 June, 2022 as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration.,Image: 696655676, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 03: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall depart the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 03, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.,Image: 696661979, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dan Kitwood / Avalon
Kate wasn’t there either at the statue. Maybe having her all laughs with PH and the media spin that takes also bothers him.
But I enjoy the shade of the source that maybe some people (cough the reporters) haven’t “accepted” that they aren’t working royals anymore. Lol.
I think this is it.
Eyes in front, Khate!
Megan wasn’t at Prince Phillip’s service either and yet William acted like being near Harry was torture so there’s that.
Maybe a guilty conscience does that, ijs…
The press didn’t get what they wanted which was pictures of Harry and William standing side by side. Kate was able to orchestrate that at Philip’s funeral. Perhaps that explains her reaction when she saw Harry and Meghan weren’t sitting behind her. Despite what the press thinks I don’t believe Harry and Meghan are eager to reconcile with William and Kate and they didn’t invite them to Lili’s party. I don’t think William had any role in making sure that he and Harry were apart. I think that was Harry’s doing.
This. It’s just like a poster summed up the other day–the Cambridges want so badly to appear as if they snubbed the Sussexes, but they themselves got royally snubbed by H&M. They didn’t give W&K the time of day, and they are soooo mad about it.
Maybe she wanted to talk to everyone around them but ignore them, like at the Commonwealth Service.
I agree Amy Bee. Richard Kay is a KP mouthpiece and wrote an article asking why Meghan and Harry won’t be seen with Kate. It’s clear they wanted their photo op and Harry and Meghan put their foot down. And the Queen sent the Cambridge’s away to Wales on Lilli’s birthday for a reason. That might have been what made Harry agree to come to the Jubilee.
See I am a petty B , so if I were Harry, I would issue a statement through my spokesman saying the following.
There cannot be any kind of reconciliation between me and William because William and his wife Kate used their private secretary Jason in the lawsuit against the daily mail to try to destroy my wife and the lives of my children and myself. Therefore as far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother in William. The end.
As I’ve commented before, it continues to astonish me that they’re smugly proud of orchestrating the ostracisation of literal children who are family members. The two older Cambridge kids are old enough to need explanations for why they can’t see their aunt and uncle and cousins, so what the hell are they telling them? And how are they explaining Andrew’s closeness with the family? The kids aren’t stupid and they’re hitting the ages where their friends at school will be able to fill them in on the outside world. I can’t believe they think the optics of this to the entire world outside of Britain are anything other than appalling. This family never seems to learn that if you fuck up the kids, they bear the consequences for decades. Meanwhile I’m sure M&H are going to be very clear to their children when they’re old enough on exactly why their family despises them so much. They (W&K, aides, etc) are setting the groundwork for bad blood for a whole new generation based on the actions of the BRF.
I wonder what Keen and Mean are telling their kids too. George and Charlotte must be getting an earful from their classmates. I wonder if they Google Uncle Harry.
I wonder too, what George and Charlotte have heard from their cousins— who seemed to enjoy the time they interacted with Meghan and Harry (at the Trooping). They’re already old enough or almost old enough to not just Google, but reach out to Harry and Meghan on their own. Hello, Archewell?
I can’t imagine having to explain both “Uncle Andy” AND “We don’t talk about Harry…” to curious, impressionable children at the same time.
I’m thinking that Harry or maybe even the whole family might be planning a visit to Balmoral soon.
Well, if they do google Uncle Harry, they probably are begging to go use one of their 16 bathrooms in California.
Harry and Meghan didn’t want to interact with the man who sent his employee to work with the BM to take down Meghan. I really believe that William’s actions there is the straw that broke Harry’s back.
This, how the British media and some people think that Harry and Meghan can so easily forgive and forget all the things that Willy and Katie have done to them is beyond me. Jason was the last straw as you said. I don’t see Harry and Meghan wanting to ruin their child birthday or darken their visit by spending any unnecessary time with people who mean them harm and Illwill. It’s one thing to put up with something because you are an adult, but when it comes to your children, nope all bets are off.Hell will have to freeze over before Harry and Meghan allow Kate and Willy near their beautiful, innocent sweet children
Both Toxic and Scamantha have been throwing Jason Knauf’s name around like water so Harry knows that road leads back to William. I think for the sake of his grandmother Harry has held back on really unloading on William but when she is gone it will be FAFO time.
Dear royal expert, how about less speculating about the state of Harry and William relationship and let’s focus on the real story, The state of William and Kate marriage. That’s a much juicer , lucrative story .oh but you won’t because invisible contract that’s not so invisible and all.oh and Kate ain’t black .
Jan Moir’s article criticized W and K recent over exposure of their young children at the Jubbly was highlighting the parents misuse of them as buffers. RR are happy to blame H for rift with W but not debate W frostiness with his own wife. W and K are only 40 young enough to start again and find wedded bliss elsewhere. Yes I appreciate dynastic marriages mean both have logical reasons for staying put but all these homes are just more rooms to be unhappy in if you neither love, respect or even like your partner.
The Sussexes kept a low profile, and got on with the business of celebrating Lili’s birthday.
While Meghan was in the Netherlands she met with children.
Julibee*
It’s clear to me that Kate briefly glared at M&H, then said “Well…” in her huffiest, most indignant Hyacinth Bucket voice to Wm, who totally ignored her. In one word she summed up what is worst about her, her husband and the BRF. “How dare they not be seated behind us”. Ironically, the Sussexes behaved perfectly. They kept a low profile, quietly attended only the necessary events, didn’t engage with the press and were the very essence of discretion and diplomacy. On the other hand, the Cambs oozed jealousy and spite, and Kate couldn’t keep her stupid mouth shut during a church service. A church service honouring the Queen. SMH…
The Cambridges haven’t bothered to introduce their kids to Archie, either. That day at polo doesn’t count, because all three were kept away. Louis interacted, briefly, with Meghan, but that’s it. Then again, it’s quite possible that the Sussexes aren’t making it a priority to introduce their kids to the first cousins. And really, that’s fine. I’ve got a gazillion first cousins I haven’t met, as both parents came from large families and most of their sibs stayed put in their home states, while my parents moved west. Hasn’t bothered me a bit.
H&M played it brilliantly. They appeared at the two most important events, introduced Lilibet to the Queen (as promised), held a party for Lilibet’s birthday, had pre-planned when they would leave and did so. The experts are mad because they gave them no ammunition to use against them, such as any meeting with W&K. For such a low key visit is it not amazing how many stories have been made up by people who know absolutely nothing?
seriously, I’m sure that H&M DID issue one. they’re like that. an invite to “come by and meet the kids” knowing that W&K would not have either the guts or the grace to show up. but nonetheless, an opportunity to see one another out of the reach of cameras, and in a setting where everyone had to play nice.