King Charles’s former butler recently said she could “initiate peace” between Prince Harry and Prince William.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s rumored rift with the royal family appears to be at a standstill once again, despite some promising updates during King Charles and Kate Middleton’s battles with cancer last year. While most of the royals have shown they’re firmly Team Wales since Harry and Meghan took a step back from their working duties in 2020, others, like Princess Diana’s family and the York family, aren’t taking sides or are hoping to build bridges between the estranged parties–and the royal family’s newest addition could provide an opportunity for reconciliation. According to a royal expert, the birth of Princess Beatrice’s second daughter Athena could change the York sisters’ dynamic with Prince Harry for the sweetest reason.
Princess Beatrice has proven herself to be a trusted member of the family, stepping in for Prince William at a number of key engagements amid a “slimmed-down monarchy.” However, despite William’s warm relationship with Beatrice and her younger sister Princess Eugenie, the York sisters have also kept up a close relationship with their cousin Harry without getting “too involved” in their drama and “being careful” not to step on any toes. In light of baby Athena’s arrival, however, it was the perfect time to extend an “olive branch” to the Sussexes.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror that it’s likely that Beatrice may have “pinged a picture of two [of Athena] to Harry and Meghan” privately after she welcomed her second child with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi the week of January 22.
The royal expert said it was also likely that the cousins would plan a meeting sometime in the future so that Harry is able to meet his newest family member. “I don’t think it will hasten a visit by them to the UK, but perhaps if charity work or business brings Harry this way he’ll be keen to meet his new cousin,” she said.
King Charles’s former royal butler Grant Harrold previously told Express that Princess Beatrice was the royal family’s best chance at mediating Prince Harry and Prince William’s ongoing conflict.
“[Princess] Beatrice could act as a peacemaker for Harry, William, and Charles,” Grant Harrold said of the royal, calling out Beatrice’s “strong bond” with late Queen Elizabeth as one of the reasons she was so highly regarde “She would be someone to initiate peace in the family. She’s close to both William and Harry, as well as the King—and they trust her.”
Harrold said that it was likely that the princess, who is known for “being approachable and trustworthy,” had already tried to “initiate peace,” but was also being strategic about the touchy situation. “It would be her out of anyone else—but she wouldn’t want to be too involved. “She would try to be careful,” he added. “I have no doubt she would have spoken to the two brothers at some point to try to improve the situation.”
