Monarch allegedly includes Duke of Sussex in future funeral arrangements amid strained ties
Despite firm reports that King Charles III has closed the door on Prince Harry’s hopes of returning to royal duties, a new revelation suggests the monarch may still envision a role for his youngest son—though under somber circumstances.
According to the Daily Telegraph, King Charles has quietly made provisions for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to be included in the royal family’s future funeral plans, particularly for his own. This move is seen as part of a long-view strategy to heal the fractured relationship with Harry, even if reconciliation seems improbable in the near term.
Sources claim that Operation London Bridge—the late Queen Elizabeth II’s long-standing funeral plan—has now been adapted for Charles under the same code name. It reportedly outlines a significant role for Harry and Meghan, including participation in the family vigil during the lying in state at Westminster Hall and seating among senior royals at the funeral service.
The Sussexes famously stepped away from royal duties in 2020, a decision that widened into a deeper family rift following their bombshell Oprah interview and the publication of Harry’s memoir Spare.
While insiders had previously suggested the monarch responded to reconciliation efforts with a firm “not in my kingdom,” these new details imply Charles has left a ceremonial door ajar for Harry’s symbolic return during key state events.
Notably, at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, Harry and Meghan were seated in the second row—behind King Charles and Queen Camilla—alongside Prince Andrew and their daughters, hinting at their shifting status within the Firm.
For now, however, any full-time return to royal life for Harry appears firmly off the table, with reconciliation potentially delayed until the monarchy faces its next major transition.
