In the wake of King Charles III’s recent cancer diagnosis, the world watched as members of the royal family rallied around him.
However, one notable absence was Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and the reason behind her decision not to visit the ailing monarch has been a subject of speculation.
Now, Grant Harrold, a former butler to the King, sheds light on this matter, suggesting that Meghan’s decision was a conscious one and that this was a journey her husband, Prince Harry, needed to make alone.
The British monarchy was recently rocked by the news that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. Buckingham Palace made the announcement on February 5, 2024, revealing that the monarch had begun a regimen of regular treatments as an outpatient after the cancer was discovered during his treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The specific type of cancer remains undisclosed, but it has been confirmed that it is not prostate cancer. Despite the daunting circumstances, the King expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support and well-wishes he has received from the public and international community and remains optimistic about his recovery.
This news comes over three years after his son, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, made the decision to step back from their royal duties and relocate to North America. Their departure was a result of feeling unsupported and unprotected by the royal institution and the media.They faced constant scrutiny, criticism, and harassment from the press, which significantly impacted their mental health and well-being. The couple’s decision to step back from their royal duties was met with resistance from the royal family. Harry shared that he had proposed a “half in, half out” approach, where they could have their own jobs but also work in support of the Queen. However, this proposal was quickly dismissed.
In the Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries, Meghan described their life within the royal family as being in a controlled bubble. She shared, “I couldn’t even text my friends a photo.” Harry added that Meghan’s experience was different from others in the family, and it was unfair to expect her to endure the same pressures.
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple highlighted the lack of support from the royal family, especially as Meghan faced negative press. They felt that both the U.K. press and the lack of support from the monarchy contributed to their decision to leave.
Meghan shared that there were discussions about how dark their baby Archie’s skin would be before he was born. She suggested that Archie’s race might have influenced the decision not to give him a prince title, which would have provided him with security. However, she did not disclose who raised these questions about Archie’s skin color.
The couple revealed that the racism Meghan endured severely affected her mental health, leading her to contemplate suicide. Meghan confessed to Harry about her suicidal thoughts, saying, “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore.” The couple told Oprah that initially, the royal family had no issue with Meghan’s race.
However, racism was a significant factor in their decision to leave the UK. Upon receiving the distressing news of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis, Harry, without a moment’s delay, embarked on a journey from his residence in Montecito, California, to London to stand by his father.
The information was personally relayed to Harry through a private phone call from Charles, which led to Harry’s immediate departure to London. However, he undertook this journey solo, without the company of his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
A photograph captured Harry’s arrival, alone in a black SUV, at the gates of Clarence House, the London residence of the King. Meghan’s decision not to accompany Harry was seen as a conscious choice. Grant Harrold, who served King Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, suggested that Meghan felt this was a journey Harry needed to make alone.Meghan made the decision that it was best to stay home with the children, and maybe she feels that this is something Harry has got to do alone,” Grant said. He also speculated that Meghan might join Harry in the UK at a later date. On the other hand, royal commentator Angela Levin suggested that Meghan might not be pleased if Harry rebuilds his relationship with the King.
She explained that Harry was in a difficult position, caught between potentially upsetting Meghan or his father. Levin expressed doubt that Harry would change his behavior significantly, as she believed Meghan would not allow it. She said, “I don’t think that will happen because Megan will not let him.”
However, royal expert Omid Scobie suggests that there is more warmth between Meghan, Harry, and Charles than is publicly perceived. He stated, “There is more warmth between Harry and Meghan and Charles than other family members.”
He believes that their relationship has improved since they left the country. In his new book, “Endgame,” Omid discusses the many conflicts between Harry and his family, particularly with his brother, Prince William. Despite the tension, Omid suggests that Charles has made room for some reconciliation.
Omid was surprised to learn that Meghan also maintains contact with the King, sending photos and videos of the children to Charles via one of the aides. This line of communication indicates a potential for future reconciliation between them. In the previous year, Harry made an appearance at his father’s coronation, unaccompanied by his wife and children.
This occasion marked Harry’s inaugural public engagement with the other members of the royal family since attending Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022, an event that Meghan also attended. During the coronation, the King conveyed his affection for Harry and Meghan as they persisted in establishing their lives abroad.
