Royal family
Here’s what someone who used to work for the Duke of Sussex’s parents thinks about the reports that Harry wants to reconcile with the royals
It was reported earlier this month that senior aides for Prince Harry and King Charles had a meeting in London about “peace talks” between the estranged royals. However, hopes of a reconciliation were dampened as neither side was happy that the details of the meeting were leaked to the media.
After fingers pointed at Harry and his wife, Meghan, for the leaks, a person from their camp denied that and told The Telegraph that the photos appearing in the news were “a disastrous start” to what was meant to be a “quiet step towards reconciliation.”
Now, someone who used to work for the royals and knows the king and his son is weighing in on the subject and doesn’t think Harry can ever fully rebuild bridges with his family.
Former butler says it’s unlikely that Prince Harry can build bridges with his family again
Paul Burrell began working in the royal household when he was 18 years old and became Queen Elizabeth II‘s personal footman. He was later moved to the household of then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana. After they separated, Burrell stayed on staff and served as Princess Diana‘s butler until her death in 1997.
Speaking on behalf Genting Casino Burrell told Showbiz Cheat Sheet what he thinks the talks may mean for Harry’s future with the royal family, opining: “There have been talks between Charles and Harry’s people and that is a sign of a thawing of the royal iceberg. It’s a good attempt but there would have to be a tropical heatwave for a year to thaw that Baltic atmosphere for the rest of the royal family.
“I think it’s a very good start but I feel too much has been said, too many bridges have been burned. I just think they want to smooth over the surface and have an easy life, but Meghan and Harry have to accept some responsibility as well. It’s not just a one way street, both parties have been hurt here. It’s a very, very difficult bridge to rebuild.”
When asked who he thinks leaked the details of the meeting between the king and Harry’s reps, Burrell said: “It serves no purpose for the royal family to leak those details, and it seems to me that it favors Harry and Meghan’s camp to proceed and move forward at a time when [Prince] William and Kate’s star is in the ascendancy, so I don’t think they would have leaked it either.
“After all, Harry is the one who wants an apology from the family. I think it is quite incredible, really, saying he wants an apology from the family when actually he is the one who has done all the damage. I know that Harry misses his family. He still has contact with the Spencer family but he does miss the royals, the Windsor side of his family.”
The duke’s chances of reconciling with other senior royals besides the king are slim to none
Burrell’s comments mirror what some others have said about certain royals not wanting to reconcile with Harry. Many royal watchers don’t think there’s any hope of that with Prince William.
The future king’s senior aides were not involved in the “peace talk” meetings and it’s believed the Prince of Wales has no interest in reconciling with his brother and has already washed his hands of their relationship.
In a column for the Daily Mail, royal commentator Amanda Platell wrote: “While Charles may forgive Harry, hell will freeze over before William does too. Or for that matter, Kate.”
Moreover, William has made it clear to those close to him just how he feels about Harry, with a friend telling the Daily Beast, “He feels utterly betrayed … He hates [Harry] for what he has done to the family in the books and interviews … It’s no secret William would prefer it if Harry never stepped foot in England again.”
