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King Charles‘ speech during the Sultan of Oman’s State Visit at Windsor Castle has prompted fresh commentary on where Prince Harry stands within the royal family. One royal expert argues that the monarch’s own banquet speech drew a line between his sons. The remark has revived talk about roles, reconciliation, and who carries out royal duties.
King Charles’ banquet speech made Prince William and Prince Harry’s status clear, per expert
Writing in The Sun, Matt Wilkinson says King Charles used his banquet speech to separate the roles of his two sons, Prince Harry and Prince William. The King was hosting the Sultan of Oman for a State Visit at Windsor Castle at the time.
The royal expert focuses on the King’s choice of words. The monarch said he was “delighted” with Prince William and spoke of “successors”. According to Wilkinson, this means the King “makes a clear distinction between his working royal heir and non-working spare.”
The column also looks at how Harry has described royal roles. Wilkinson notes that Harry and Meghan appeared as “private individuals” in Nottingham just days before, while Charles and Camilla carried out official duty. He then adds that “we learned Harry ‘hates’ the term ‘working royals’, believing it to be ‘lazy’.”
Wilkinson also compared attendance at State Visits. He notes that Harry and Meghan have never attended an incoming State Visit together. William, by contrast, has been present at all nine during Charles’ reign. Kate Middleton only missed one while she was recovering from cancer.
However, the royal expert does not rule out a thaw. Wilkinson acknowledges that “the world wants the Royal Family to talk through their problems and father and son to have a genuine and warm relationship.” He then adds that “one of them has to stop talking for any chance of that happening.”
Whether that view reflects the wider picture is a matter of opinion. For now, the King’s banquet words remain the clearest public signal the royal expert can point to.