Prince Harry is set to arrive in London for a charity event on September 7, a day before the anniversary of the Queen’s death. A wise man might use the time to heal the rift with his family, writes Angela Epstein.
Because it seems Prince Harry is scheduled to fly into London on September 7 to appear at an event for the charity WellChild. A cause of which he has been a long-time supporter, and which celebrates the achievements and resilience of seriously ill youngsters. However, September 7 is also the eve of the first anniversary of the Queen’s death. Yet, despite the proximity of the two events, the Duke of Sussex apparently has no plans to drop in for a thoughtful and reflective cuppa with either King Charles or Prince William when he returns to Britain.
Well, why would he when, according to insiders, Prince Harry’s relationship with his father and brother remains “firmly rooted at rock bottom” and reconciliation is a “long way off”. Commendably Harry will be doing some good while he`s in the UK – meeting with deserving WellChild winners at a reception on September 7 before delivering a speech and presenting one of the awards. But imagine if he were to then spend some time the following day with his father in order to reflect on their mutual loss. To share memories of the 96-year-old Queen, whose passing at Balmoral, on September 8 last year after reigning for 70 years still feels as if it happened only moments ago. First anniversaries are always challenging.
Since they are, by definition, an initial milestone in the slow, leaden journey out of grief and into a state of acceptance and reflection. What an opportunity then for father and son to come together, set aside, even momentarily their differences and remember their remarkable mother and grandmother. And in the process be reminded of the remorseless egg timer of our mortality and the ever-diminishing opportunities to make amends. What’s more, given the fact the King will be marking the day in private, such a meeting could be achieved away from the scrutiny of curious royal watchers. There will be no set pieces. No formalities. No lip readers and body language experts ready to interpret every sideways glance or tactical seating plan. Instead, by all accounts, the gathering will be a meditative get together of Charles and Camilla along with Andrew and his daughters. Given Eugenie and Beatrice are such great friends of Harry, the prince will at least have some of the home team amongst the gathering.
The Queen went to her grave aware of the “challenges” created by her grandson’s acerbic desire to quit Royal life and high tail it to California. And of the brickbats and bombshells he went onto hurl with cruel alacrity at his family. How great and fitting a tribute it would be, therefore, if the anniversary of the Queen’s death marked a watershed in the bitter fallout. Instead September 8 2023 would mark not only her passing but also the first steps on the slow road to recovery if not full reconciliation. Can there be a greater way to make even more meaningful the loss of a parent – the Queen – than for her son to be reunited with his own child? It must be done, and whomever – by default or design – is keeper of Harry’s diary and his conscience should do their best to make it happen.
After all, given his so-called agitation over his carbon footprint, the chances of Harry being in this neck of the woods on a regular basis are remote. His father and stepmother – no great lovers of overseas trips – are hardly likely to have a 10-hour flight pencilled onto the wish list either. So perhaps it’s time to reinterpret the diary clash as an unexpected opportunity. A chance for Harry and his father to see each other. Even nudging the door open for a quick visit from William too. It will require pride to be swallowed by the bucket load.
