5 Signs Meghan & Harry May Return to Royal Life Thanks to Family's 'Olive Branch' after Being Side-By-Side in Grief
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Members of the royal family appeared to be offering an olive branch to Harry and Meghan during the Queen's funeral.
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King Charles confessed that Harry and Meghan were still on his mind and said he loved them during his first ever statement as King.
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Harry and Meghan hoped for a “progressive new role” within the monarchy.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have always made headlines, from their meeting to their dating life and even their 2018 wedding that attracted over 2,000 attendees.
But their most publicized news became their exit from royal duties in early 2020. The couple reportedly dealt with a lot from the rest of the royal family members, so much so that they decided to leave the country entirely.
They settled in their Montecito home in Southern California, where they have since made a life for themselves and their two babies, Archie and Lilibet.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Nuku'alofa airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga | Source: Getty Images
The two have taken up projects together, like launching the Archewell Foundation, a catchall company for their post-royal pursuits, which they run from their shared home office. And for that, they are grateful. Harry says that most people he knows, including his family, do not have the luxury of working and living together.
Speaking during an interview with Cut, years after he and his wife stepped down from their royal duties, he said of his current working and living situation:
"It's actually really weird because it'd seem like a lot of pressure. But it just feels natural and normal."
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Redwoods Tree Walk on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand | Source: Getty Images
In addition to their Archewell Organization, which includes the couple's nonprofit charitable foundation, as well as business divisions focusing on media production, Archewell Audio, and Archewell Productions, the two are also involved in other charity works in the UK and Germany.
Some charities they are involved in include The Invictus Games, an athletic tournament for wounded veterans founded by Harry in 2014. They are also involved in the One Young World Summit, a global platform for young leaders, and WellChild Awards, a charity Harry has patronized since 2007.
Signs That the Sussex Could Be Returning to Royal Life
It was during their trip to the UK to attend some of these events that Harry and Meghan received the devastating news that the Queen's health had taken a nosedive.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to look at floral tributes on the Long walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
On Thursday, September 8, when Harry and Meghan were supposed to attend the WellChild events, where Harry was supposed to give a speech, the news broke that the Queen had passed away at her Balmoral home in Scotland.
The Sussex canceled their plans to be with their family and have since put up a united front as the family mourns the departed monarch. Despite the backdrop of rifts between Harry and his family, they came together to pay respects to the Queen, a possible sign that there might be peace ahead.
Harry and his brother Prince William, Prince of Wales, joined forces, walking side-by-side behind their grandmother's coffin during the procession. Even though the two had barely spoken for over two years, royal fans now wonder whether the unity was a sign that Harry could come back into the fold.
Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin on September 14, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Sun reports that all through the mourning period, there have been tell-tale signs that the family is patching up their broken relationship with Harry and Meghan and that a possible reconciliation might be not too far out.
First up was that Harry and William walked into Westminster Hall together for the Queen's funeral service on Monday, September 19. They appeared to set their differences aside as they strolled into the hall. Meghan also sat behind Camila, the Queen Consort, a clear sign that they could be patching up their rifts.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
William also reportedly offered Harry and Meghan an olive branch when he ushered them to their sitting area at St George's Chapel later that day. In the heartfelt gesture, William led his family to their seats before gesturing his younger brother and his sister-in-law to theirs.
On September 10, the "Fab Four" — Harry and William and their wives — were spotted in public for the first time as a group since 2020 as they inspected the Queen's floral tributes outside Windsor Castle. In a rare show of unity, the four waved to the crowds together.
Catherine, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan, on the long Walk at Windsor Castle arrive to view flowers and tributes to HM Queen Elizabeth on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images
It later emerged that William had prompted talks of reconciliation by instigating a photo opportunity with Harry and Meghan at Windsor.
In extending their UK trip to be there with the family after the Queen's death, Harry and Meghan showed their support, despite being away from their children for weeks.
It did not go unnoticed that Harry wore his military garb during a poignant vigil at the Queen's coffin, like the rest of the working royals did. When Harry stepped down from his role as a working royal, he lost his military titles and was not eligible to wear the uniform.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive to hold a vigil in honor of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall on September 17, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
However, King Charles III permitted him to wear his uniform, which according to The Sun, was a gesture meant to signify the King offering an olive branch to his son.
Harry and Meghan still look like strangers looking in from outside after being denied an invitation to the biggest diplomatic reception held by the King only days ago.
But a father's love goes beyond the King's interest in what his son should or should not wear. King Charles also showed his desire for Harry to get back in the fold when he addressed the nation following the Queen's death.
During his first ever statement as King, he ensured he passed along the message to his son and his daughter-in-law, letting them know that he still loved them and that they were always in his thoughts. He said:
"I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas."
Is Returning to the Fold a Possibility?
When Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020, they dreamed of a progressive new role in the monarchy that would help them gain financial independence as they continued working alongside the Queen.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Nuku'alofa airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga | Source: GettyImages
After all the publicity and drama that followed their exit, it appears they have designed the jobs they wanted to have as royals but were denied. Their various charity works prove what they imagined of their lives, with or without royalty titles.
Despite all that, Harry and Meghan still look like strangers looking in from outside after being denied an invitation to the biggest diplomatic reception held by the King only days ago.
Regardless of the seemingly welcoming nature of the other royal family members during the Queen's funeral, the question remains whether Harry and Meghan are welcome to return to the fold.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, and Prince William, attend the first annual Royal Foundation Forum on February 28, 2018 in London | Source: Getty Images
Harry has been previously reported to miss his family and home in London, but could he consider returning if offered? And now, their situation begs the question of whether things would be different if their children Archie and Lilibet got their royal titles.
Archie and Lilibet are listed as Master and Miss on the Firm's website and are yet to be named Prince and Princess or receive their HRM titles. As it stands, whether things between Harry and his family will change after the Prince's kids get their royal titles remains a mystery.