Prince Harry trying to 'patch up' family relations before Christmas, says expert

17 December 2023 , 12:51

1068     0

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attending a Christmas Day service (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may look to “patch up” their relationship with the royal family before Christmas, an expert has claimed.

The pair’s links to King Charles and Prince William seemingly reached a fresh low after Omid Scobie’s new book engulfed the family in a racism scandal. The book, titled ‘Endgame’ and released in November, was billed as an expose of the royal family that would ‘pull back the curtain on an institution in turmoil’.

But a Dutch language edition, which was only sent out to journalists in the Netherlands, alleged that Kate Middleton and King Charles had voiced “concerns” over the skin colour of Meghan and Harry’s children. Scobie later admitted that he had included the names of the royals in an "early" edition of the book after his initial denials.

READ MORE: Omid Scobie in Royal racists U-turn as he admits 'early' manuscript was sent

The pair have spent Christmas in California for the last four years (Getty Images)

Sources who spoke to the Mirror dismissed the rumours, which first emerged during an interview Meghan gave to Oprah Winfrey two years ago, as “wildly inaccurate”. And they said that William would be “furious” by the accusations.

Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'

Now Tom Quinn, an experienced royal expert, has said that the couple, who both live in California, may attempt to rekindle their frosty relations with their British family before December 25.

He told Daily Express US: “I suspect that because Harry is beginning to realise he needs the royal family more than the royal family needs him, he may well try again to patch up the relationship as we get towards Christmas Day."

Mr Quinn said Harry will know that Kate and William still outrank him due to their status in the minds of global audiences (PA)

The Royal Family usually spends Christmas at Sandringham House, a three-hour drive from London. But for the last four years, Harry and Meghan have remained in their luxury $14m property in Montecito, California, with their two kids.

It was thought that the pair might share some Christmas festivities with their extended family this year, but following the controversy over the publication of Endgame, that now seems off the table.

But Mr Quinn said the recent furore will have reminded Harry that Kate and William still outrank him due to their status in the minds of global audiences. And he believes that Charles may well use this Christmas to demonstrate just how close he is to his future heir.

He said: “I don’t think Harry and Meghan will be able to overshadow Kate and William this Christmas, or at least not in the UK. I expect the Royal family will make sure William and Kate and their children are very visible right across the Christmas holidays as it’s a special time."

The Royal Family usually spends Christmas at Sandringham House, a three-hour drive from London (Getty Images)

“I think Charles wants to make it very clear at a time when families get together, that he at least has a good relationship with one son, and of course with his daughter-in-law.

Quinn has written multiple books on the royals, including the 2021 tome Scandals of the Royal Palace and the 2018 book The Reluctant Billionaire. His commentary is based on conversations with those close to the palace.

Douglas Whitbread