Royal Briefing Explores the King’s State Visit to the US and the Absence of Family Time
Royal Briefing is a new vodcast available on nine.com.au that delves into the most significant royal stories across the globe. The first three episodes are now accessible for viewing on YouTube. As the King’s state visit to the US enters its final day, it has been widely regarded as a success in showcasing the enduring influence of the royal family’s soft diplomacy.
The visit has been seen as a crucial mission for King Charles III, with many observers describing him as a “Trump Whisperer” due to his efforts to ease tensions between the US and UK over various global issues. However, despite the positive outcomes, some royal watchers believe there is an overlooked aspect of the King’s four-day itinerary.
This unspoken issue revolves around the absence of any planned meetings with Prince Harry and his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The King and Queen Camilla have been engaged in events in Washington D.C., New York City, and Virginia, but there are no plans for them to visit their son in California.
For nine.com.au’s entertainment editor Nicole Douglas, this omission is not just a missed opportunity but a significant one. She argues that the King, who is 77 years old and recently diagnosed with cancer, should take the chance to spend time with his grandchildren while he is in the same country.
- “He’s literally in the same country as them. How long is he going to be able to travel all this way to see them in their actual home and spend time with them?” she says in the latest episode of Royal Briefing.
- “It would be a damn shame if he didn’t [although] I can see he probably won’t.”
On the other hand, nine.com.au’s royal reporter Natalie Oliveri believes that a visit to Montecito, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reside, would be inappropriate during the King’s state visit. She points out that Montecito is located on the opposite side of the country from where the King and Queen are based.
- “It would be a logistical nightmare for the king and queen to pop in to California,” she explains.
- “Perhaps they could meet halfway – Harry and Meghan could travel to the other side of America and have a private meeting [with the king].”
In Royal Briefing, Douglas and Oliveri discuss the King’s tour, which has been described as the most significant mission of his reign. As a mediator between the US and UK, the King has played a vital role in addressing several key global issues.
The state visit is governed by strict protocol, with every engagement meticulously planned to the minute. Free time is almost non-existent, and duty takes precedence over personal matters.
Oliveri notes that while many people may criticize the King for not seeing Harry and his grandchildren, it is important to recognize that this is not an ordinary family.
- “But that’s his job. It’s duty first, family second.”
Douglas, however, disagrees. She believes that as a grandfather, the King would love to see his grandchildren.
- “Charles the monarch knows it’s probably not the right move. But it feels like a slap in the face for Harry.”
The discussion highlights the complex balance between royal duties and personal relationships, a challenge that continues to shape the public perception of the monarchy.
Watch the full Royal Briefing vodcast on YouTube here.
