Worried King Charles seeks Meghan Markle's approval before sending Archie a birthday gift, despite the family strife. King Charles III, determined to honor his grandson Archie's fifth birthday on Monday, has decided to send a card and a small gift to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son, according to Tom Quinn, a royal specialist. The Mirror reported that there has even been discussion about King Charles sending Archie one of his own watercolor paintings as a gift, as Meghan appreciates handcrafted items over extravagant and expensive ones.
Quinn further mentioned that King Charles and his team are heartbroken over the possibility that any gift from the king may be misinterpreted by Harry and Meghan, given the estrangement between Charles and his youngest son, who currently resides in the United States with his wife and two children. The source indicated that Prince George, who is now ten years old, received a handcrafted swing from Charles in the past, which was engraved. However, Harry has repeatedly cautioned his father that such grand gestures may not be suitable for Archie.
Quinn also revealed that Charles would prefer to have a regular phone conversation with Archie on his birthday rather than a video call. While Charles has inquired about video calling, his assistants have conveyed that he finds the concept unsettling. According to Quinn, Charles could easily speak with Archie by making a regular phone call.
However, Quinn expressed concern about the potential need to speak with Meghan, as Harry and Meghan are privately celebrating Archie's fifth birthday at home before embarking on their next trip. Prince Harry is set to travel to the UK for an Invictus Games event, while Meghan will stay home with Archie and their two-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet. It is expected that due to Archie's birthday falling on the same week as the anniversary of the king's coronation, the Duke will spend his time in the UK without seeing any of his family.
Harry had to curtail his previous visit to the UK in May 2023 to attend Archie's celebrations in California. During his brief stay, he reportedly did not see or speak to his estranged family, including his brother William. Harry was denied access to his designated seat at the ceremony, which was moved to the third row between Princess Alexandra and Jack Brooksbank, the husband of Princess Eugenie. The coronation marked the first time Harry had seen his father since the release of his revealing biography earlier that year.
Despite their strained relationship, Harry did visit the UK in February after Charles revealed his cancer diagnosis. Their conversation, alleged to have lasted 45 minutes, was reportedly brief. In Robert Hardman's book "The Making of a King: Charles III and the Modern Monarchy," it was revealed that King Charles was displeased when Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived late for his coronation the previous year. According to Hardman, Charles and Camilla were under added stress due to the postponement of the coronation.
The encounter was described as an unpleasant scene, with Charles expressing frustration about always being late. The author also shared the translation provided by a lip reader of Charles's remarks captured on camera while waiting for his son and daughter-in-law during a Sky News broadcast, where he remarked, "We're never going to be on time. Something is constantly present."
