King Charles 'Ensures Harry, Meghan Will Have Key Role' in His Funeral Plans— Despite Ongoing Family Rift

Despite the well-publicised rift within the royal family, King Charles III is reportedly preparing for his funeral with a poignant act of unity. The monarch intends to include his youngest son, Prince Harry, along with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, at the centre of the arrangements.

These plans, quietly coordinated over months, involve close consultation between the Palace, police, military and the Church. Sources close to the matter say the King's wish is for Harry to walk beside his brother, who will be King William by then, as part of the main procession through London.

Harry and Meghan are also expected to attend the family vigil during the lying-in-state in Westminster Hall. Young Archie and Lilibet are reportedly being given a place in both the formal ceremony and the burial service at Windsor's St George's Chapel.

For the family, it would be a deeply symbolic gesture: an opportunity to stand together in farewell.

This approach has been described as an olive branch, designed to heal and honour the deeply held ties of Britain's royal family. It follows a recent gesture from Harry himself — a formal email invitation to King Charles and other senior royals for the upcoming 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.

In a recent interview, Harry spoke openly of reconciliation, saying, 'Forgiveness is 100 per cent a possibility.'

Although relationships among the royals remain 'blurred', Charles's insistence on including his younger son and his family sends a signal that his final goodbye should transcend lingering tensions among his sons.

A New Kind of Royal Farewell

King Charles is reportedly moving away from tradition in other ways too, incorporating sustainability into the funeral plans. Sources say green options are being sought wherever possible, whether that is eco-friendly transport, locally sourced floral arrangements or reducing ceremonial excess.

It would not be the first time environmental thinking has defined a royal occasion; Charles has long championed conservation, organic farming and sustainable design since his early days as the Prince of Wales.

Health Challenges Do Not Diminish Royal Engagements

The timing of these funeral preparations has raised questions about Charles's health, but Buckingham Palace assures there is no immediate concern.

At 76, the King has been managing his duties alongside treatment for cancer, discovered during prostate-related procedures in early 2024.

He has described the experience as 'frightening and daunting', yet has thanked medical staff for their care and remains actively engaged in public duties. In March, he briefly required hospital treatment but has otherwise maintained a steady pace.

He recently travelled to Canada and continues to preside over Commonwealth affairs and public events, showing that his professional responsibilities remain busy and ongoing.

A Hopeful Ending

While it may seem unusual to plan funeral proceedings involving living family members, King Charles is making a conscious choice: to knit the family back together in their final moments of shared mourning when his time comes.

This contrasts sharply with the tension seen when Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest, when Harry and Meghan were kept apart from much of the main ceremony.

Still, royal insiders caution that these funeral plans, however carefully drafted, rely on cooperation and trust to become reality, not to mention extensive logistical planning. However, it is clear in King Charles's mind that ending a reign with fractured ties would be out of step with the family values he holds dear.

By mapping a way forward that includes Harry and his family, Charles may be trying to reset the family narrative. For a King whose reign has been shaped by public service and personal resilience, this could become his most touching legacy.