King Charles is said to be deeply saddened by the distance between him and his youngest grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, according to a royal commentator.
Paul Burrell, who once worked closely with Princess Diana, told Fox News Digital that the late Queen had hoped Meghan Markle and Harry would remain active members of the royal family. While they stepped back from senior royal roles in 2020 and moved to the US, Burrell claimed the decision was one Queen Elizabeth accepted only reluctantly.
Queen Elizabeth II, he said, believed the couple could have played an important role supporting the monarchy on the global stage. In his view, they might have served as ambassadors, highlighting humanitarian issues and travelling to parts of the world in need, much as Diana once did.
“I think the king would’ve loved that and Harry would’ve loved that,” Burrell said, suggesting it could have been a role that suited both the institution and the couple.
Speaking about King Charles III, Burrell added that the monarch is heartbroken by how little time he has spent with Archie and Lilibet. He believes the separation has emotional consequences not just for Charles, but for the children themselves.
“It’s sad for Archie and Lilibet, who will never know that world,” he said. “Their father came from that world, and they will never know their cousins or the people who populate it.”
Burrell went on to say that the situation weighs heavily on the King. While Charles is close to his other grandchildren, he has not been able to build the same bond with Archie and Lilibet.
“It’s sad for the king, who can’t embrace all his grandchildren at the same time,” he said. “He can’t put his arms around Archie and Lilibet in the same way he can with his other grandchildren. I think he’s very sad.”
The comments add to ongoing discussion about the personal cost of the rift within the royal family, particularly for the youngest members caught in the middle.
