Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to be offered olive branch by King Charles in royal 'recurring theme'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020

PA
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 23/03/2023

- 15:51

Updated: 23/03/2023

- 16:05

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to be offered another olive branch by the King in a "recurring theme of his life'", a royal author has said.

Author Gareth Russell highlighted King Charles's approach to Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson as sign of his willingness to build brides with members of the Royal Family.


Edward VIII ascended to the throne in January 1936 following the death of King George V.

However, Edward chose to step down as the UK's head of state in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson when he was asked to pick between the two.

King Charles and Prince Harry

Author Gareth Russell highlighted King Charles's approach to Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson as sign of his willingness to build brides with members of the Royal Family.

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The pair married in 1937 and were granted the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor but Edward did not retain the power and status he once had.

Speaking to US Weekly, Russell said: "This has been a recurring theme in his [King Charles] life, actually.

"I found out that in the late 1960s, and early 1970s, when Charles was still pretty young, he was one of the only members of the Royal Family who was prepared to go over to Paris to visit his great-uncle, Edward VIII, and Wallis Simpson.

"He said to the Queen Mother and to the Queen, 'I think we should try to build bridges between this side of the family'."

"He thought his great-uncle and aunt should be brought back into the fold a bit.

"So there is a past track record of Charles doing things like this and, in that sense, it tracks as consistent with what we know of him as a person."

Royal commentator Tom Quinn stated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be set for a similar situation that Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson faced.

Quinn said: "My fear is that Harry will become like Edward VIII and Meghan will become like Mrs Simpson."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Royal commentator Tom Quinn stated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be set for a similar situation that Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson faced.

PA

He continued: "They [Edward and Wallis Simpson] lived in this beautiful house in France, but we know they were desperately unhappy.

"Edward VIII was a bit like King Lear, where he gives away all his power, but somehow thinks he can still exercise power through his children.

"I think Edward VIII, when he abdicated and went to live in France, thought he would still be an important figure.

"And he was for a little while, in the same way that Meghan and Harry are kind of significant now because there's so much coverage and commentary about them.

"But that will fade and, unless they can escape all this negative stuff and find something positive that people are interested in, they will become insignificant in the way that Edward VIII became insignificant and very unhappy."

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