A royal commentator suggests there’s a hidden significance behind a recent photo of Prince Harry with his kids, especially coming just weeks after he spoke candidly about possibly mending ties with his family in a major new interview.
This week, the Sussexes celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary, and it’s clear that a lot has shifted since Meghan Markle walked down the aisle at St George’s Chapel in 2018.
Their lead-up to the wedding was far from smooth — drama surrounding Meghan’s relationship with her father and tensions with sister-in-law Kate Middleton cast a shadow. That turmoil didn’t die down and eventually led them to relocate overseas, stepping away from royal duties.
Since then, they’ve been involved in several high-profile legal battles and revealing interviews, with their relationship with the British royal family continuing to attract public attention even now.
Harry recently shared an update on his relationship with his family during an interview with the BBC, following his failed appeal to restore his taxpayer-funded security in the UK.
Discussing the “really sad” outcome, he shockingly revealed that he’s currently not speaking to his father, though he remains hopeful for a future reconciliation.
“He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff,” he admitted. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.
“Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Still, despite Harry’s desire to mend ties, a royal expert believes his latest family photo sends a clear message.
The black-and-white photo shows Harry in the garden of their large California home with his children, Archie and Lilibet. Meghan posted it on Instagram shortly after their court loss.
Respecting their wish to keep their children’s privacy, only the backs of the kids are shown in the picture.
Jennie Bond, former BBC royal correspondent, told The Mirror that the photo spoke volumes: “I think the recent post of Harry walking away with his two children shows he’s leaving his old life behind for good.
“And I doubt anyone in the UK will be sending anniversary wishes to California.”
Bond also believes that although Harry and Meghan have ‘burned their bridges’ with the royal family, they’ve come out stronger and closer as a couple.
“Whatever happened and whoever is to blame, what they’ve been through has probably made their relationship stronger.”
They’ve definitely distanced themselves from their own families, so after burning so many bridges, they have no choice but to depend on each other even more.
That’s a heavy burden to carry, but I imagine it also gives them extra motivation to put effort into their marriage and ensure it succeeds.
I doubt they spend much time dwelling on the conflicts with their families.