The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have once again found themselves excluded from the King’s formal birthday celebration, marking a tumultuous four years since their departure from the royal family.
Except for 2019, when they appeared alongside the late Queen, the Sussexes have traditionally participated in the balcony gathering at Buckingham Palace.
Despite receiving Trooping the Colour invitations since relocating abroad, this year they were notably absent from their £12m California residence.
Princess Catherine is set to make her public comeback at tomorrow’s Trooping the Colour event, as previously announced.
Following her cancer diagnosis, the courageous Catherine expressed gratitude to her supporters through a heartfelt personal letter released last night.
Notably, Harry, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, will not be present at the ceremony, a decision that is expected to disappoint him deeply, according to Richard Fitzwilliams.
Fitzwilliams suggests that Harry may harbor feelings of guilt over his past actions, such as referring to his stepmother Queen Camilla as a villain, if he chooses not to attend the occasion.
In contrast, it is believed that the Duchess remains unaffected by the situation.
Fitzwilliams remarked, “I think when it comes to military matters, the Duke has always taken an interest.
I believe he does see the split with the royal family as the fault of the Sussexes.”
The couple had reportedly sought an apology from the royal family for the treatment they endured during their time as senior staff members, a request that Fitzwilliams doubts will be comprehended.
Reflecting on the significance of military events in Harry’s life, Fitzwilliams expresses his expectation for Harry to feel some regret for missing Trooping the Colour.
Regarding the Duchess’s stance on such royal rituals, Fitzwilliams opined that she may not attach much importance to events like Trooping the Colour.
He speculates that she might not even watch it, indicating her potential disinterest in such traditions.
Had she embraced these customs, Fitzwilliams believes she could have secured a valuable role within the royal family.
During his recent visit to the UK in May to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, the Duke did not engage with the King or other family members.
His brief stay was evidently business-focused, as he aimed to return in time for his son Archie’s fifth birthday and spend time with the Duchess and Lilibet, who has yet to meet the King.
Fitzwilliams doubts the possibility of seeing Archie and Lilibet standing alone at Trooping the Colour or on the Buckingham Palace balcony, emphasizing the need for family reconciliation for such moments to materialize.
While Fitzwilliams acknowledges the media frenzy surrounding any appearance by the Sussexes, he anticipates that several more years may pass before a full family reunion can occur.
The spotlight on the Sussexes would overshadow this weekend’s parade, he predicts, emphasizing the complexity of the situation and the challenges that lie ahead for the royal family.