HEALING THE RIFT

As Charles' coronation approaches, royal experts say reconciliation is vital so the day does not turn into a circus

- NICI DE WET

IT’S being called the biggest crisis to face the royal family since King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 to marry his divorced lover – and in a way, what’s happening now is even worse. 

Yes, the entire face of the monarchy had to change when Edward followed his heart and yes, the British people had to come to terms with his shy, stammering brother as his replacement at a time of great global turmoil. 

But the royal family banded together, kept their lips zipped and marched to their long-held motto: never complain, never explain. 

There have been many dramas since then, of course – death, divorce, friction – but somehow the royals have rallied and carried on. But there’s one big difference now: Harry is no believer in the never complain, never explain mantra and his revelations in his memoir, Spare, have rocked the royals to their core.  

Another major difference is Queen Elizabeth is no longer there to steady the ship and without her The Firm is floundering in a troubled sea – and her son and heir is facing a nightmare. 

Royal experts say if King Charles doesn’t step in and wave the white flag before his 6 May coronation, the event is in danger of turning into “a circus”. 

Harry and Meghan have reportedly been invited to the spectacle, but it’s anyone’s guess right now whether they will attend. 

“There’s a lot that can happen between now and then,” Harry told ITV journalist Tom Bradby in an interview to promote his book.