Prince Harry has made no secret of his desire to reconcile with the Royal family.
After leveling a series of bombshell accusations against his father, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, the Duke of Sussex has voiced his intention to mend fences. Whether he can successfully repair those relationships remains uncertain. However, this isn’t the first instance where Harry has displayed apparent remorse for his decisions.
Harry’s public rift with his relatives commenced when he and Meghan suddenly declared they were withdrawing from Royal duties, merely 20 months following their wedding ceremony.The pair announced their decision via a social media statement on January 8, 2020, explaining their quest for greater privacy and financial independence.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” the couple said, reports the Mirror.
However, their declaration stunned many in their inner circle – including the late Queen. According to The Telegraph UK in 2020, Harry subsequently felt remorse for having “blindsided” his grandmother by failing to consult her beforehand.
The late monarch confessed she would have “preferred” for the Sussexes to remain, but affirmed her understanding and support for their “desire to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
“Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they do not want to depend on public funds in their new lives,” the Queen stated. “It has therefore been agreed that there will be a transition period during which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
In February 2021, Buckingham Palace issued another statement on behalf of the Queen. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family,” it read.
“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.
“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family. “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”