LONDON, Jan 13, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Queen Elizabeth II and other senior
British royals were gathering for a meeting Monday with Prince Harry in an
attempt to solve the crisis triggered by his bombshell announcement that he
and wife Meghan were stepping back from the royal frontline.
Harry’s father Prince Charles and brother Prince William, with whom he has
strained relations, will join the monarch at her private Sandringham estate
in eastern England, according to British media.
Charles just flew back from Oman, where he attended a condolence ceremony
following the death of Sultan Qaboos.
Meghan is expected to join the meeting via conference call from Canada as
they attempt to work out the “next steps” towards a compromise and nip the
growing crisis in the bud.
Issues up for debate include how much money the couple will still receive
from Charles’s estate, their royal titles and what commercial deals they can
strike, according to the Sunday Times.
The newspaper reported that William believes he and Harry are now
“separate entities”, breaking the bonds forged following their mother’s
tragic death.
“I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can’t do that any
more; we’re separate entities,” the Times reported he told a friend.
The queen attended church at Sandringham on Sunday where supporters
expressed sympathy for her, with some members of the public saying Harry and
Meghan should not receive any more taxpayer money if they step back from the
royal family.
The 93-year-old monarch on Thursday demanded that staff work with the
couple to find urgently a “workable solution” that would take into account
their demands for more freedom.
Harry, Meghan and son Archie spent Christmas in Canada, with the American
former actress returning there this week.
Several Canadian media reported Meghan had returned to Vancouver Island
off the country’s Pacific coast, where the family spent the year-end holidays
and where baby Archie had remained with his nanny.
Senior royals were caught off guard by Wednesday’s announcement that the
Duke and Duchess of Sussex wanted to seek a “progressive new role” and divide
their time between Britain and North America.
– ‘Complicated issues’ –
The queen’s office issued a terse statement the same evening, saying there
were “complicated issues that will take time to work through”.
Harry and Meghan said they intended to continue to “fully support” the
queen and “collaborate” with senior royals.
They also want to keep their home on the queen’s Windsor Castle estate as
their British base, while aiming to become financially independent.
Media reports said Harry and Meghan could conduct a potentially damaging
television interview if they are unhappy with the outcome of Sunday’s
meeting.
Writing for The Sunday Times, broadcaster Tom Bradby, a friend of Harry
and William, said: “I have some idea of what might be aired in a full, no-
holds-barred, sit-down interview and I don’t think it would be pretty.”
The younger prince, who has struggled with his role, last year revealed he
has been growing apart from his brother, who as second in line to the throne
is increasingly pursuing a different path.
Harry has been open about his mental health issues, and he and Meghan last
year admitted to struggling with the spotlight following their wedding at
Windsor Castle in May 2018 and Archie’s birth a year later.
The couple have also lashed out at negative news coverage — some of which
Harry says was racist — in light of Meghan’s biracial heritage.
The British public currently appears to be siding with the family, with a
Daily Mail poll showing that a majority believe Harry should give up his
right to the throne and be stripped of cash support from the royals or
taxpayers.