FIRM DIVIDE
King Charles is ‘heartbroken’ at Harry & Meghan saga as he marks ‘bittersweet’ 1-year on the throne, says royal expert
We shared how many times Charles has seen Archie and Lilibet
TODAY marks one year since Charles became King and his regal Coronation was televised around the world.
While the day is undoubtedly a momentous memory in his mind, the anniversary will be “bittersweet” for King Charles, claims a royal author.
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Phil Dampier claims the monarch will not only be thinking about his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, but also his grandson Archie, who celebrates his fifth birthday today.
The royal expert told Fabulous: “It’s a bittersweet day for the King when he marks the anniversary of his Coronation as it’s also Archie’s birthday.
“I’m sure it breaks Charles’s heart that his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet are growing up on the West Coast with American accents and yet he hardly knows them.
“Harry and Meghan may arrange occasional zoom calls but it’s not the same as seeing them in person.”
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Phil added that King Charles is a “doting grandad” to Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, five, but added: “I’m sure he’d love to have the same relationship with his other two.
“It’s a very difficult situation.
"Charles probably compensates for not seeing them by showering love on George, Charlotte and Louis, but obviously it would be better for all concerned if the rifts were healed and some kind of normal family relations resumed."
Harry's UK return
The royal author pointed out that Prince Harry will be in the UK for the Invictus Games tenth anniversary this week - as he attends a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday May 8.
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Phil claimed: “No-one knows if Harry is going to see his father but it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t.
“It would surely be an opportunity for Meghan to also bring the children so they could see him, but I doubt it will happen.
Charles will never let Harry back as part-time royal - but reconciliation with William will be even tougher, says expert
“The King has only met Lilibet - who was named after his mother the late Queen - once, and Archie just two or three times.
“Of course we must not forget Meghan’s father Thomas Markle, who has never met either of them, or even his son in law Harry.”
King Charles has officially returned to public royal duties, 11 weeks after announcing he has cancer.
Last Tuesday, the monarch, 75, swapped stories and held hands with patients as he visited a cancer treatment centre with the Queen, 76.
I’m sure it breaks Charles’s heart that his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet are growing up on the West Coast with American accents and yet he hardly knows them
Phil Dampier
When asked about his health battle and recovery, His Majesty understandably said it was a "bit of a shock" to be given his cancer diagnosis.
Phil pointed out that Charles may not be able to see Harry if his health isn’t up to it.
He claimed: “The King is still restricting the people he sees close up because of his condition and of course last time they met it only lasted less than half an hour.
“People who have been travelling on long-haul flights often pick up bugs so the medical advice might be that they don’t meet.”
Timeline of King Charles' health battle
A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.
January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his 'corrective procedure'
January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night
February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer
February 10: King issues 'heartfelt thanks' in a written statement
February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been "reduced to tears" by get-well cards
March 21: The Princess of Wales and the King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and takes part in 'walkabout' with members of the public and aides say 'it was a significant step' as King had 'responded to treatment very encouragingly'
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to 'supercharge' his diary for the summer and is 'raring to go'
April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties
April 30: King marks his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
Future:
May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21 - 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 - 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia
As well as any heartache over Prince Harry and grandson Prince Archie, Phil said the Coronation anniversary will be poignant, with Charles thinking about his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
He added: "I’m sure the King will be thinking of his mother on the day.
“At each major step of his reign he will tend to think what she would have done and learn from her wisdom, even though she is no longer with us.
“It doesn’t mean he will always do exactly the same thing, and he will have his own style, but he will always remember her ways because why not learn from the most successful monarch we have ever had?
When was King Charles' coronation?
KING Charles was crowned in a historic ceremony watched by millions on May 6, 2023.
Formal celebrations began with a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
His Majesty's coronation in Westminster Abbey was 70 years after his mother the Queen was crowned.
There was then a procession of the newly-crowned King and Queen back to Buckingham Palace, which took around 30 minutes.
Following this, they received a salute from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces in the Buckingham Palace Gardens.
The royal family later appeared on the infamous Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast.
“As always, Camilla will be there to bolster him up and calm him down when required.
“She has been a magnificent support in recent months and I’m sure he would be the first to say he would have struggled to cope without her.”
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The Coronation service took place on May 6, 2023, and was watched by millions worldwide.
Charles, who promised to pledge his life to his country in a solemn oath alongside Queen Camilla, has over the years expressed a desire to bring the Royal Family into the modern age.
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