The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Britain, arriving back in the country amid a pressing need for a grand reconciliation within the Royal Family following a poll revealing public discontent with the couple.
A Mail on Sunday poll published today shows public dissatisfaction with Prince Harry and Meghan. The couple have been living in California, having relocated to the United States after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals. They have children to whom they must set an example.
Their return to the United Kingdom presents an opportunity to heal the estrangement between the couple and the monarchy. The rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family has been described as an aftershock of the divorce and death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the profound effect those events had on her sons.
Prince Harry and Prince William have both had plenty of opportunities to vent their various discontents. The brothers, who are the sons of the King and Princess Diana, have seen their relationship subjected to intense public scrutiny in recent years.
The monarchy is currently facing a period of vulnerability, making the need for family unity more pressing. The King is dealing with an illness, leaving him in need of support from his family as never before. King Charles III ascended to the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The institution has also been left weaker by the disgrace of the former Duke of York. Prince Andrew, the King's younger brother, stepped back from public life following widespread controversy, further depleting the ranks of working royals available to carry out official duties.
Observers note that the quarrels within the family are not inescapable and that men and women do not run on tracks like trams. Family members are free to choose their paths, and a minor effort could be all that is needed to reconcile. The Sussexes have also found that California offers no escape from real life.
Historical Context of Royal Strife
The ongoing internal strife within the Royal Family is viewed as one of the worst things to happen to the country in the last half century. The monarchy has many functions and duties, but it is also one of the few institutions that stands for a way of life many aspire to, a strong united family held together by love and loyalty, passing on good things across generations. Observers note there is no point in an Englishman's home being his castle if there is bitterness within its walls, and a house divided against itself will not stand.
The history of the British monarchy over the past century demonstrates how the personal lives of its members directly impact the institution. Nearly 90 years ago, the abdication of Edward VIII reminded the nation that the Crown is represented in the minds of many by the actual family surrounding the King and Queen. Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson, an unprecedented constitutional crisis that fundamentally altered the line of succession.
Following the turmoil of Edward and Mrs. Simpson, King George VI and his Queen were seen by many as a blessed relief from gossip and glamour. George VI unexpectedly took the throne after his brother's abdication and reigned through the Second World War. His predecessor, George V, had also maintained a grounded public image, living as much like a suburban person as possible, known for his ordinary tastes, quiet evenings, and stamp collection.
Queen Elizabeth II, who became Britain's longest serving monarch over a reign of 70 years, hoped to follow her parents' example of stability. However, the fury of the modern world rushed into the heart of her household, beginning with the complex life of her sister, Princess Margaret, and continuing with the divorces among her own children.
The Legacy of Princess Diana
The most devastating event for the modern monarchy was the tragedy of Princess Diana. Diana married the current King in 1981, and their highly publicized separation and divorce preceded her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. Her personal and public catastrophe remains a deeply felt event that still splits the country and the Royal Family itself.
The current estrangement of Prince Harry and Meghan from the monarchy is seen as a direct outcome of Diana's history. The outcome is sad for all involved, yet it is considered entirely avoidable if the family chooses to resolve the bitterness within its walls.
Paths to Reconciliation
The return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex offers a clear chance for reconciliation, which is seen as necessary given the current state of the monarchy. The King, as head of the family, requires support from his relatives.
While the Mail on Sunday poll indicates unpopularity for the Sussexes today, public opinion regarding members of the Royal Family can shift significantly over time. The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, was once highly unpopular, yet the King's sister is now widely considered to be among the most respected and well liked of all the Royals.
The question remains as to who should take the first step towards resolving the division. The opportunity for a grand reconciliation is present while Prince Harry and Meghan are in the country, and there are calls for somebody to make that move soon.
