King Charles, 74, may have chosen to ignore Prince Harry’s demands for a sit-down meeting over the coronation – if we are to believe the reports, of course, as we still have no idea what goes on behind closed doors – but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have his youngest son and his two grandchildren’s best interests at heart.
According to The King: The Life of Charles III author Christopher Andersen, the new monarch still made sure that both Prince Harry, 38, and his children – Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, who turns 2 next month – were mentioned in his post-ceremony toast just as much as Prince William, 40, and his own family were. even though Prince Harry was on his way to Montecito, California for Prince Archie’s fourth birthday which was on the same day.
King Charles Praised All Five Grandchildren In Coronation Speech
"Charles knew he couldn't in all conscience praise William's children and ignore Harry's. And it was Archie's birthday, after all," Andersen, who also wrote Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan told Fox News Digital. "Charles is a doting grandpa, and I have no doubt that apart from all the acrimony it pains him to be separated from two of his five grandchildren."
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich also confirmed that the new monarch and doting grandfather praised all five of his grandchildren in his coronation toast, who as well as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, also included the Prince and Princess of Wales' children, Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
"King Charles is not sarcastic. King Charles is a loving, genuine man," she added. "Ask Lionel Richie because Lionel Richie and him have developed a close friendship. And Lionel Richie has said that he has only goodness in his heart." Fordwich also confirmed that Prince Harry was invited to the family luncheon that took place after the coronation, but he chose not to attend – most likely because he wanted to "rush home" to Meghan and his children – which she described as a "huge shame."
"The King has such a huge heart. It is not surprising at all that he has been so forgiving. There are members of the extended royal family that I know well, on the one hand surprised and yet impressed that the King would extend the kind olive branch to invite Harry to Buckingham Palace afterwards," she explained. "And indeed, Windsor Castle because they went to Windsor Castle I know afterwards for lunch. I just think it's such a huge shame that he has squandered another opportunity that was provided to him to heal wounds."
"And I find that sad, and it was Archie's birthday. But millions of children across the globe have their birthday on a separate day when their parents are working or some business or special event," she added. "And a four-year-old could have had his birthday party one day later, and Harry could have made his father happier."
Did King Charles Want Prince Harry On The Buckingham Palace Balcony After All?
Andersen went on to say that King Charles really felt Prince Harry and Meghan's absence on the Buckingham Palace balcony. This is interesting to read, because one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's alleged demands for attending the coronation was a spot on the balcony, and it appeared to have been denied (along with many other demands) due to the late Queen Elizabeth' II's rule of reserving a spot on the balcony for senior royals only.
"The Sussexes' absence on the Buckingham Palace balcony on coronation day had to have been weighing on Charles's mind," Andersen continued, adding, "How could it not?"
"Harry would have shown up on the palace balcony had he been asked," Andersen speculated. "But the powers that be that really run the monarchy have convinced Charles to enforce Queen Elizabeth's rule that 'non-working' royals do not deserve such special treatment. Imagine how much more of an impact there would have been with Harry up there waving to the multitudes alongside his father the king and his brother, the Prince of Wales."
"Unfortunately, those who know Charles have described him as 'weak' when it comes to bucking the palace bureaucracy – even though he is the boss," he added. "So, the standoff between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals continues, even though the king could unilaterally end it in a New York minute."
