King Charles shared an endearing moment with Prince Louis in a new BBC documentary, challenging Prince Harry's claims that his father refrains from giving hugs or kisses.
The touching scene unfolded during a rehearsal for Charles's coronation, where he interacted with his grandchildren. In his memoir "Spare," Prince Harry had accused the older generation, including his father, of maintaining a strict policy against physical contact. However, the documentary showed King Charles embracing both Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, exhibiting a warm and affectionate side not portrayed in Harry's narrative.
The documentary captured a light-hearted moment when Charles and Prince William practiced the ceremonial kiss of homage, an integral part of the coronation ceremony. Bishop of Herford Richard Jackson remarked on the extraordinary affection displayed within the royal family, highlighting their close-knit relationship across generations. Princess Charlotte even paid her respects to King Charles by curtsying in a light blue patterned dress and white cardigan, adding a delightful touch to the family-oriented occasion.
Despite the strained relationship between King Charles and Prince Harry, the Christmas Day speech took a subtle approach. While Charles chose not to directly address Harry and Meghan Markle, he incorporated the biblical principle of "do unto others as you would have them do to you." Royal expert Angelo Levan noted that this indirect reference could be seen as a hint for Harry to reflect on. Levan suggested that Harry might scrutinize the speech for any mention or omission of him and Meghan, as the tensions between the Sussexes and the royal family linger.
In his Christmas speech, King Charles focused on recognizing individuals who went the extra mile to help others throughout the year. The video montage included highlights of the monarch's activities, such as planting a tree in Kenya and embarking on his first state visit with Queen Camilla to a Commonwealth country. Notably, Harry and Meghan were not featured in the video, underscoring the ongoing strained relations.
Royal commentator Michael Cole recommended that Harry and Meghan seek an apology from senior members of the royal family to pave the way for their participation in future festive holidays in the UK. Cole emphasized the importance of the Sussexes showing contrition and publicly apologizing, aligning with the calls for reconciliation amid the royal drama. Despite not receiving an invitation for the recent holiday celebrations, the expert suggested that reaching out and expressing regret could be a step towards rebuilding ties with the royal family.
