Recent reports suggest that King Charles has excluded Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from the royal family narrative. This is apparent as King Charles often speaks about his grandchildren but only mentions the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton, not those of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Royal editor Kate Mansey points out that when King Charles talks about his grandchildren, people naturally think of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Archie and Lilibet, who live in California, seem to be left out of these conversations.
In a speech during a Japanese State Visit, King Charles made a joke about Pokémon, saying, “The phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me, it is perhaps aspirational.” This comment further emphasized his focus on the children he sees more often, who are the Waleses’ kids.
Royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah agrees, noting that King Charles has minimal contact with his grandchildren in California. She says, “When he talks about his grandchildren, people here think first and foremost about the ones seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony, which are not Archie and Lilibet.”
Both Mansey and Nikkhah agree that the distance between King Charles and the Sussex children means their relationship is not as strong. While both sides would like a closer relationship, the physical distance makes it challenging.
King Charles has not commented on this issue publicly, and it seems unlikely that he will do so.
Background on the Distance and Relationships
The relationship between King Charles and his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, has been complicated by various factors. One major reason is the physical distance. Archie and Lilibet live in California with their parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020.
This move created a physical and emotional distance between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. The lack of frequent interactions and the geographic separation have made it challenging for King Charles to form a close bond with Archie and Lilibet.
Public Perception and Media Coverage
The media has also played a significant role in shaping public perception. Reports and commentary from royal experts often highlight the visible presence of Prince William’s children at royal events, reinforcing the idea that they are more central to the royal narrative. For example, during major royal events like the Platinum Jubilee, the focus was predominantly on Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Royal commentator Angela Levin mentioned that the media’s focus on the Wales children over the Sussex children contributes to the narrative that King Charles is more connected to the former. This media bias makes it even harder for Archie and Lilibet to be seen as part of the core royal family.
Potential for Future Reconciliation
Despite the current situation, there is always the potential for reconciliation. Both sides have expressed a desire for a stronger relationship. King Charles has indicated that he would like to be closer to all his grandchildren. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also shown interest in maintaining connections with the royal family, as seen in their occasional visits to the UK.
Rebuilding these relationships will take time and effort from both sides. Regular communication, visits, and shared family events could help bridge the gap created by distance and past tensions.
