Monarch highlights enduring values of the Commonwealth while family tensions linger
King Charles struck a note of unity and friendship in a heartfelt letter just days after Meghan Markle’s surprising comment about her time in the royal family.
Prince Harry is expected to return to the U.K. next week, raising hopes of a reunion with his father. It would be their first meeting in 20 months, since a brief 30-minute conversation at Clarence House.
Even with the speculation over family ties, the King has remained focused on his reign and recovery. On Sunday, he extended warm congratulations to Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on the country’s 68th National Day.
In his message, Charles praised the strength of Commonwealth connections, saying he was confident they would “continue to be nurtured for the benefit of all Commonwealth citizens, now and in the future.” He also reflected on the shared priorities of the UK and Malaysia, including security, innovation, education and sustainable growth.
The King spoke admiringly of Malaysia’s natural beauty and its efforts to protect biodiversity, calling the nation an “international champion for inclusive and sustainable development.” He closed by sending “warmest good wishes” to the Malaysian people on behalf of himself and Queen Camilla.
His words echoed a similar message from last year, when he called Commonwealth Day a “fitting reminder of the enduring values and aspirations that unite us.”
The letter comes as Meghan recalled feeling “inauthentic” during her time as a working royal, sharing a pointed anecdote about being expected to wear nude pantyhose. Royal commentators have described the remark as an “unnecessary dig” at the institution.
