, a tension that was seemingly eased by Princess Kate’s intervention.
Royal expert Rob Jobson reveals in his text that Charles instructed Harry via phone to leave Meghan in London and come alone.
“Prince Harry had decided to travel separately from his brother and the other senior Royal Family members,” detailed Jobson. “He took a private jet to Scotland, not getting there until just before 8 pm.”
Sources claim Harry opted not to join William and his uncles due to a spat over Meghan’s exclusion, reports the Mirror.
When Harry argued for her presence during a call with Charles, the King dismissed the idea.
In ‘Spare’, Harry wrote of the exchange: “He said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didn’t want… her. He started to lay out his reason, which was nonsensical, and disrespectful, and I wasn’t having it.”
Harry recounted a tense exchange with his father over Meghan, stating: “Don’t ever speak about my wife that way…He stammered, apologetic, saying he simply didn’t want a lot of people around. No other wives were coming, Kate wasn’t coming, he said, therefore Meg shouldn’t. Then that’s all you needed to say.”
Despite the close bond Princess Kate had with the Queen, she chose not to accompany Prince William to Balmoral, leaving many surprised and sparking rumours that Prince Charles might have influenced her decision.
However, Royal author Robert Hardman clarifies in his book ‘Charles III: New King, New Court.
The Inside Story’ that it was Kate’s own choice to stay behind with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they started at Lambrook School on September 8. Kate wanted to be there for them on such an important day.
The Queen passed away later that day at 15:10, with only Charles, Camilla, and Princess Anne being able to see her before her passing, as they were already in Scotland for prior engagements.
However, only Anne was present when their mother passed away. Charles had momentarily left her bedside to clear his mind and had gone out to gather mushrooms.
He was informed of her death while driving back to Balmoral after his senior aide received a call. Charles pulled over and for the first time, he was addressed as ‘Your Majesty’ – indicating that he was now King.
Buckingham Palace announced at 12.50pm that Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie had begun their journey to Scotland. Unfortunately, they did not arrive in time.
They landed at 3:50pm, 40 minutes after her passing. With William driving, they reached Balmoral at 5.06pm.
Prince Harry, on the other hand, departed from Luton airport on a private jet around 5.30pm. He was still airborne when the announcement of the queen’s death was made at 6.30pm.
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