It was a day filled with highs and lows for the Royal Family. On one hand, Prince George began his inaugural day at the esteemed Eton College, while on the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, faced challenges regarding their roles as non-working members of the Royal Family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared cheerful as Prince George embarked on his first day at the historic school on Tuesday morning, following in his father’s footsteps. The family looked at ease as they dropped off George, the 13-year-old grandson of King Charles and second in line for the throne.
“Welcome, good luck and enjoy,” greeted headteacher Simon Henderson, shaking hands with George before leading everyone inside the school where George will be residing.
Later, George was spotted beaming in his new school attire: a black tailcoat, waistcoat, and a white collar.
Prince George begins his first day at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire, in this photo taken Tuesday and provided by Kensington Palace. (Matt Porteous/Kensington Palace)
Eton has educated many of the country’s elite, including Prince William and Prince Harry, and has been the academic home to 20 British prime ministers, such as Boris Johnson and David Cameron, alongside actors Hugh Laurie, Damian Lewis, and Tom Hiddleston.
According to BBC reports, George’s experience at Eton is expected to provide him some protection from media scrutiny and public attention. Prince William has previously expressed how much he cherished being “just another student” during his time at the institution.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales, left, Eton housemaster Dr. Andrew Gailey, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles are pictured on Prince William’s first day at Eton College on Sept. 6, 1995. (Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan ‘surprised’ by letter
Conversely, Prince Harry and Meghan encountered what some observers are describing as a rude awakening upon their return to the U.K. after Charles confirmed on Monday that they will continue to be non-working royals.
The announcement, communicated through a letter from Buckingham Palace to senior British officials, stated that following Harry and Meghan’s resignation from royal duties in 2020, they “are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
“In essence, their status is comparable to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” the letter indicated.
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THE ROYAL FASCINATOR
The ‘shockwaves’ of Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to the U.K.
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Charles confirms Harry and Meghan to remain non-working royals after their return to U.K.
On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were taken aback by the manner in which Buckingham Palace communicated the letter. It caught the couple by surprise when it was shared with the media on Monday, partly because they were given minimal time to review or respond to its contents, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to AP.
They expressed being “a little surprised not to have been informed about this ahead of time,” their representative stated on Tuesday, as reported by BBC.
The couple’s representatives received the letter just one hour and 12 minutes prior to its media release, the source noted. This limited their ability to respond since they were unable to reach Harry, who was in a meeting, until only two minutes before the letter went public, the source added.
The letter reaffirms the palace’s previous position.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal responsibilities in 2020 after relocating to North America to establish their own financial independence, engaging in ventures with companies like Netflix and Spotify. At that time, Queen Elizabeth emphasized that the couple could not serve as part-time royals. Charles reiterated this stance after ascending to the throne in 2022.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are moving back to the United Kingdom with their children, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The couple will remain non-working royals and live as private citizens.
‘Warning shot’
In a discussion with GB News, royal historian Alexander Larman characterized Charles’ decision as a “brutal put-down.”
“I would describe it as a right royal knees-up, actually, considering Harry’s just returned a couple of weeks ago and we’re observing how things are unfolding for him,” Larman remarked.
“This essentially signifies the King stating: ‘You’re back, and I’m pleased on a paternal level that you’re here. However, as the head of a firm, I want to make it abundantly clear that you are not reinstated within the Royal Family.’
As CBC’s The Royal Fascinator noted over the weekend, Harry and Meghan’s return to the U.K. caused quite a stir as it appears to contradict everything they have articulated since their departure.
Prince Harry, right, and Meghan walk along the boardwalk during a visit to Bondi Beach, Australia, on April 17. (Jonathan Brady/The Associated Press)
Royal commentator Phil Dampier informed The Sun that the King’s announcement served as a “warning shot” not to eclipse the Royal Family.
“It’s clearly delivering a message—a warning shot across their bows, you might say. What they’re [the palace] emphasizing is that nothing has shifted from their perspective,” Dampier explained.
“Now that they’ve returned and may start attending various charitable events or engaging in commercial activities, it must be absolutely clear to everyone that they are acting as private individuals rather than as royals.”
On Monday, Meghan shared a photo on her As Ever Instagram account, featuring her relaxing on a lawn with the couple’s black Labrador, Pula. “Long weekend plans,” read the caption.
