After representatives of King Charles and Prince Harry were spotted chatting, speculation arose about a potential reconciliation. U.K. media dubbed the meeting a “peace summit” or “secret talks.” Notably, Prince William wasn’t present.
Royal author Carolyn Harris noted the publicS strong interest in the family dynamic, stemming from witnessing William and Harry’s upbringing and charitable work, as well as the fallout from Harry’s memoirs.
Reconciliation with Charles seems more likely than with William, who fiercely protects his family’s privacy and may be unable to move past revelations in Harry’s book.
Harry is expected to return to the U.K. in September for engagements, but whether he’ll meet with Charles remains uncertain. While Harry visited Charles briefly after his cancer diagnosis, a longer meeting didn’t materialize due to the King’s busy schedule.
Royal rifts – and reconciliations – are nothing new, but there are differences in the current saga.
“What’s unusual in this case is that it’s a younger son in conflict with his reigning father, whereas if we go back in time historically… often it’s between the monarch and the heir to the throne,” Harris said.
“Often what fuelled these conflicts in the past was the heir to the throne wanting to have more independence and more autonomy, and if anything – in the case of King Charles III and Prince Harry – the conflict between the King and his younger son has brought the King and his heir closer together.”
There are other differences, too, Harris suggested.
“This is a different kind of conflict in the 21st century where we’re seeing a combination of official grievances in terms of security and the Royal Family’s relationship with the press but also personal grievances in terms of how prince Harry feels that he has been treated over time.”
Attempts now at reconciliation would make sense, Harris suggested, as when conflicts within the Royal family fester, they can cast a long shadow.
When the Royal Family posted a picture of Queen Camilla to social media as it thanked those who wished her a happy 78th birthday, a Canadian mystery writer’s work was in the frame.The photo posted to Instagram and Facebook the other day shows Camilla – an avid reader – holding a copy of *The Gray Wolf* by Louise Penny.
The royal nod came as a surprise to Penny, CBC Books reported.
“I was floored when a friend in the U.K. forwarded me the photo,” the author told CBC Books via email.”I knew she’d read the book,since she sent me a lovely note,but to see it in the birthday post was amazing.”
Camilla’s love of reading – and efforts to promote it – are well-known and came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were unable to leave home.
“Camilla was giving radio broadcasts about how she was spending time at home sharing her favorite books,[and] we see the efforts that would eventually develop into the Queen’s Reading Room,” Harris said.
The Queen’s Reading Room is a## The ‘honor and privilege’ of a royal visit
As Lt.-Col. Chris Michaud watched his regiment’s colonel-in-chief greet its members, he couldn’t help but be impressed.
Michaud, the regiment’s commanding officer, was at Prince Edward’s side as the Duke of Edinburgh met members of the Prince Edward Island Regiment during his recent visit helping the regiment mark its 150th anniversary.
“one of the biggest takeaways is how he engages with people. It’s fascinating,” Michaud said in an interview.
He was with Edward as he met members at a royal regimental ball at a Charlottetown hotel.
“He must have met 300 people that evening, and he took a moment to speak with each one, exchange a couple of questions with them and … it was really fascinating to see how somebody of such a stature [would] take the time to engage with each person they get an opportunity to meet,” Michaud said.
“As a leader, that’s something you take away.”
Michaud had been prepared for a few nerves to kick in as he met Edward for the second time – he’d attended a regimental visit about a decade ago – but he found it got easier as the recent visit progressed through engagements with cadets, a stop at Abegweit First Nation, the ball, a regimental breakfast and a freedom of the city parade in Charlottetown.## P.E.I. blanket mill weaves commemorative gifts for historic regiment
The gift was arranged by the Canadian wool Council and the Campaign for Wool in canada, a patronage of Edward’s elder brother, King Charles.
“Wool has always had a deep connection with the military,” matthew Rowe, CEO of both organizations, said in an interview.Planning for the commemorative blankets began several months ago and brought together several focuses for the Campaign for Wool.
“Prince Edward Island is home to one of the last blanket mills in Canada that makes product in 100 per cent Canadian wool, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to create something special for this anniversary,” Rowe said.
“We wanted something that was … meaningful, but that was also tangible…. it’s also practical, it’s something that can speak to that moment and speak to that affiliation but that will be a treasured and functional heirloom going forward for the men and women of the regiment.”
Enough custom blankets were woven to ensure one for every serving member of the regiment, plus others. Prince Edward also received one.
“It’s just such a great way …of celebrating a great Canadian manufacturer, a great canadian product and showing how Canadian wool can keep us safe and warm in many different levels of interpretation,” Rowe said.
WATCH | Prince Edward speaks on Canada Day in Ottawa:
