Following the unsettling period after her cancer diagnosis last year, Princess Catherine appears ready to resume her royal duties.
Westminster Abbey is preparing for the grand Commonwealth Day service, where senior members of the royal family, including the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, are set to reunite for this significant event. Their attendance marks a symbolic return, particularly after both the King and Catherine were unable to participate in last year’s ceremony due to their respective health challenges. However, one absence will remain notable—Prince Harry and Meghan will not be in attendance. Their last appearance at the event in 2020 was filled with tension, as it marked their final engagement as senior royals before stepping away and relocating to North America.
With the King's health reportedly in decline, tensions within the royal family continue to escalate, particularly concerning the possibility of Prince Harry mending ties with his relatives. Reports suggest that Princess Catherine has taken a firm stance against Meghan’s involvement in any future royal engagements. Their last official appearance together as working royals took place at the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2020, at Westminster Abbey, an event that was meant to serve as a farewell but instead was marked by evident strain. Reports from that day described an awkward atmosphere between the Sussexes and other royals, with Harry appearing emotionally conflicted over what was perceived as a deliberate snub.
One point of contention involved the order of service, which initially placed the Prince and Princess of Wales in the royal procession while excluding the Sussexes. Upon William and Catherine’s arrival, the usual warmth in their greetings was noticeably absent. According to lip readers, the exchange between William and Harry was brief and formal, with William offering a curt “Hello, Harry,” to which his brother responded with the same. Meghan greeted William twice, only for him not to acknowledge her immediately, further amplifying the apparent disconnect. Reports indicate that this left Harry feeling sidelined, prompting a last-minute change in the seating arrangements. Instead of being part of the formal procession, Harry and Meghan were seated in the pews alongside Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Despite Meghan’s confident demeanor throughout the ceremony, insiders observed that Harry seemed visibly distressed. Royal expert Robert Lacey noted that Harry was furious over what he perceived as being pushed aside during his final appearance as a senior royal. The move was widely interpreted as a symbolic demotion. However, in a last-minute effort to defuse tensions, Prince William and Princess Catherine chose to forgo the procession and took their seats alongside Harry and Meghan. Lacey described this as a small but meaningful peace offering. Body language expert Judi James observed that Harry’s discomfort was evident; the moment he and Meghan had to stop holding hands, he instinctively reached for his wedding ring in what appeared to be a self-soothing gesture. Meghan maintained a bright smile throughout, reportedly whispering to Harry, “Big smiles,” as they settled into their seats.
Following the service, as William and Catherine departed, Harry's demeanor shifted. With the other senior royals gone, he appeared far more relaxed, engaging animatedly with guests. Observers noted that he and Meghan quickly reverted to their usual affectionate dynamic, appearing more at ease in the absence of formal royal constraints.
Amid growing concerns over King Charles III’s health, Catherine remains resolute in her decision to keep Meghan distanced from royal affairs. She reportedly sees Meghan as a disruptive force at a time when unity within the monarchy is crucial. The longstanding tensions between the Duchess of Sussex and the royal family remain unresolved, and Catherine is determined to prevent further discord. This leaves Harry in a difficult position, torn between his loyalty to Meghan and his potential desire to rebuild his relationship with his family. Sources suggest he is facing increasing pressure to reconcile with the royals but remains steadfast in his commitment to his wife.
Despite her own health struggles, Catherine has reportedly urged Harry to respect her position and prioritize the stability of the royal family. With King Charles III’s reign reaching a critical juncture and internal divisions deepening, the future of the monarchy remains uncertain. As the future Queen, Catherine is determined to uphold order, and her firm stance on Meghan’s exclusion reflects her commitment to maintaining royal unity. Neither Meghan nor Harry has publicly addressed these claims, but speculation continues to swirl about the evolving dynamics within the royal household.
The Commonwealth, one of the world's oldest political associations, has its origins in the British Empire but has since evolved into a voluntary organization of independent and equal nations. While many member states have historical ties to Britain, the most recent additions—Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon, and Togo—had no prior links to British colonialism, highlighting the organization's broader global role beyond its imperial past.
