As rumours of a royal reconciliation are still up in the air, one major olive branch between the warring royal family paved the way for Prince Harry’s emotional war memorial display
Prince Harry carefully avoided overshadowing King Charles and Queen Camilla at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day when leaving his own acknowledgement of the poignant day.
At the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Friday, the King and Queen led the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with an emotional ceremony.
Just hours later, at the same location, Harry – who served for 10 years in the Army – also paid a touching tribute to the veterans by having a personal letter and wreath placed at the Burma Star Memorial. It comes after a royal butler reveals Prince Harry and Kate bombshells.
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In a major sign that Harry is keen on making amends with the royal family, it is reported that he insisted the tribute was laid by a friend – with strict instructions only to place it at the memorial once his father and stepmother had left the event, so as not to overshadow them.
The letter, which includes his royal emblem, pays tribute to all that fought in the war, including his late grandfather, Prince Philip, who served in the Far East. The letter, first revealed by GB News, was not signed by Harry’s wife, Meghan.
The letter read: “For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign. He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war. Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged, and the legacy you leave.”
The strict instructions on the delivery of the letter are believed to have come after reports that Harry offered to share his diary with the Firm to avoid clashing events. The diary sharing was reportedly sparked by Prince Harry’s recent trip to Angola to follow in his late mother’s footsteps, which fell on Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Harry offered a diary-sharing arrangement to stop a similar situation happening again. Sources said it is hoped the move to “deconflict” their diaries could lead to Harry and King Charles to meet face-to-face. The publication claims that the so-called deal is even believed to extend to Prince William’s court at Kensington Palace.
A source described the latest development to share the Duke’s schedule as a significant milestone. They said that Harry and his wife Meghan previously “relished” clashes of publicity.
“But now Harry has shifted into a new way of thinking,” they added. “The tone is now all about ‘deconflicting’ with his family. Harry still doesn’t like being controlled by the Royal machinery, and that won’t change. However, if the Royal Family have full sight of his movements they can at least plan accordingly. It’s a significant gesture.”
Lines of communication between the pair remain open since ‘peace talks’ were held with representatives from both sides earlier this summer. The meeting took place between Harry’s right-hand woman, Meredith Maines, flying in from California, to meet the King’s communications chief, Tobyn Andreae, on neutral ground at the Royal Over-Seas League.
A friend of the Sussexes reportedly told the Mail: “Harry hopes to see his dad later this year, or next year. Things are moving in the right direction but, as always with the Royal Family, they are doing so at a glacial pace.”