Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is reportedly holding onto "vague hopes" of being forgiven and offered a minor role within the Royal Family, according to royal expert and author Tom Quinn. Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020 alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duke is said to be under pressure to maintain a relationship with his family for the sake of the couple's new ventures.
According to The Mirror, Quinn revealed, "Harry still has vague hopes that he will be forgiven and will be offered a minor role somewhere. Even Edward VIII, after the abdication, was given a few minor roles. And Harry will be aware of that."
The royal author suggests that as Harry and Meghan's relationship matures and some of the "fire goes out," there is a "real danger" that Harry will feel lost, much like Edward VIII did when things cooled with Mrs. Simpson. "That's the point at which Harry will really make huge efforts to build bridges with his brother and be allowed to be the part-time Royal (with Meghan) that he wants to be. But if palace officials have their way, it will never happen," Quinn added.
Unlike Edward VII and his wife, Harry and Meghan are free to return to the UK without needing permission from the monarch. However, since moving to the US, the couple has only returned to the UK on rare occasions or for significant royal events, such as the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and her funeral later that year. The Sussexes have also been vocal about their safety concerns, as they no longer have taxpayer-funded security.
Prince Harry is expected to return to the UK in May for a celebration of the Invictus Games, with rumors circulating that he and his older brother, Prince William, could be reunited in private. There is speculation that the couple will use the grand event in central London to try and "repair relations" with the public and the Royal Family.
A source told the Express, "This event is being seen as a very important part of Harry and Meghan's rehabilitation. It will be a good starting point for the Sussexes to repair relations with the royal family and the British people at the same time."
However, there is still doubt over whether Meghan will make the trip to London to support her husband, though the couple is thought to be planning to relaunch their public image in the UK.
According to Quinn, Prince Harry is expected to have a "short and formal" meeting with King Charles during his visit to the UK in May. The royal author suggests that Harry will most likely speak at the Invictus Games 10th Anniversary Service at St. Paul's Cathedral on May 8, and while the trip is yet to be officially confirmed, Harry is listed as a guest speaker at the service.
Quinn also notes that King Charles is said to be "more forgiving" of Harry than his brother, Prince William. However, a source close to the royal brothers has claimed that Harry will do everything possible to "win" back William on his next trip to the UK.
"Prince Harry will do all he can to 'win' back his brother Prince William on his trip to England - but he knows it will take time. He will do all he can to let his brother know he is there for him and to repair that bond," the source told The Mirror.
