An explosive forthcoming book has revealed that Prince Harry suggested bringing in a mediator to help solve his ongoing rift with the royal family - causing the now Queen Consort to 'splutter over her tea'.
The New Royals by journalist Katie Nicholl addresses the divisions between the Sussexes and wider Royal Family since their decision to step back from official royal duties in 2020.
The book quotes a family friend as saying Prince Harry met his father, King Charles, earlier this year in order to 'clear the air' but the meeting failed to resolve the tensions which have dogged the royals for over two years.
In an extract of the book, Nicholl says King Charles 'insisted on a meeting with Harry over tea before he had an audience with the Queen.
She continues: 'The meeting with Charles and Camilla was more awkward than their cordial tea with the queen,' Nicholl wrote, adding that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were late to the meeting which left Charles with just 15 minutes to catch up with his youngest son and daughter-in-law before he had to attend the Royal Maundy Service at Windsor Castle where he stood in for the Queen.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex waving to members of the public at Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022.
Chris Jackson
The family friend said: '[Harry] actually suggested that they use a mediator to try and sort things out, which had Charles somewhat bemused and Camilla spluttering into her tea.'
They added the Queen Consort told the Duke his suggestion was 'ridiculous' and that they would resolve their differences within the family.
Her late Majesty passed away at Balmoral Castle on 8 September at the age of 96, at which point her eldest son Charles automatically became King.
As the monarch, the book claims Charles is keen to heal the rift between the family and his youngest son Harry, 38.
In his first televised address to the nation on 9 September, King Charles said: 'I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.'
Some royal fans have claimed the mention of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was an 'olive branch' towards the couple, who happened to be visiting Europe when the Queen passed away.
There has been much speculation that the so-called 'Fab Four' of the Prince and Prince of Wales and the Sussexes would reunite after the death of the Queen. A surprise hour-long walk about at Windsor was cited as evidence that maybe the rift was healing between the brothers - however it was reported yesterday that the Prince and American actress had returned to California without 'brokering a peace deal'.
