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London: King Charles is using the coronation to heal family divisions, including bringing Prince Andrew in “from the cold”, say sources.
On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace announced that the Prince Harry would attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in what is being seen as an olive branch following months of bitter infighting.
Could Andrew be brought in from the cold by King Charles?Credit: Getty
It is not known whether Harry plans to attend a private family gathering after all the festivities are over on the Saturday, to which the Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York is thought to have been invited.
Harry’s attendance following the fallout from Spare, his autobiography, has sparked hope of a royal truce with the King. He is said to have been pleased by the decision because he is keen to have the support of both sons at what Harry has acknowledged as the “biggest day” of his father’s life.
Contrary to reports that there has been a row over what Andrew should wear on his brother’s big day, one friend told The Daily Telegraph that “there’s a warmth around the place and a proper rallying around the King, who in turn is showing some serious EQ (emotional intelligence) by ensuring the family is given the opportunity to pull together.
RSVP for one, please. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.Credit: Daniel Leal-Olivas
Pointing to the fact that the Andrew and his ex-wife both spent Christmas and Easter with the King and Queen, the friend added: “All four siblings spent most of the Easter weekend together with assorted children and plus ones – including the Duchess [Sarah Ferguson].
“I suspect some Palace staff and parts of the media are well behind the curve in their understanding of this private family unity. ”
Harry has long complained about being “briefed against” to the press by Palace staff. It appears to be a concern that is shared by his uncle and fellow non-working royal Andrew, 63.
The friend added: “The family aren’t briefing against one another. If it’s palace officials going off-piste and providing hostile press briefings on who wears what and when, who lives here or there, then they should think on.
King Charles.Credit: AP
“If it damages an individual royal, it damages the institution and it doesn’t reflect the private unity of the family.”
As with William and Harry, there have been reports of tensions between the more senior royal brothers after the King allegedly asked the Andrew to consider vacating Royal Lodge, the seven-bedroom home he shares with the Duchess in Windsor Great Park, to save money.
It came after Harry and Meghan were said to be “disappointed” they would no longer have use of Frogmore Cottage, their Windsor home.
The pair were informed of the planned eviction just 24 hours after the release of Harry’s bombshell memoir, in which he made damaging accusations against his family members, including claims that his brother, Prince William, threw him to the ground during a fight.
While the King’s mood is described as “generally quite forgiving”, the Prince William is understood still to feel betrayed by the revelations in the book.
Such is the gulf between the once close brothers that several sources have said they cannot see how their relationship can ever be repaired.
As a non-working royal, Harry is not expected to take part in the procession after the service or join other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace or for other celebrations.
Meghan will remain in California with the couple’s two children Prince Archie, who turns four that day and Princess Lilibet, one.
Telegraph, London
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