King Charles reportedly used a significant speech to convey a message to his youngest son, Prince Harry, amid their ongoing feud with the royal family.
In October 2023, the King addressed guests at a dinner held at Mansion House while participating in a ceremony for a new Sovereign, a tradition that dates back to his predecessor, King William III, in 1689.
During the event, he was presented with The Pearl Sword—a gift from Elizabeth I to the City of London—but he promptly returned it to symbolise the authority of the Lord Mayor in the Square Mile when the monarch is absent., reported Mirror.
Charles's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, also performed the Pearl Sword Ceremony when she became the new Sovereign in 1953.
As part of the speech, the King stated: "But have we succeeded in equal measure in schooling ourselves, and our communities, in the importance of our responsibilities towards one another? Do we pause, instinctively and unerringly, before speaking or acting to ensure we are affording equal weight to both sides of the balance? Oursocietywould be a kinder and gentler place for it."
According to royal expertAngela Levin, his words were largely directed at his youngest son. She toldGB News, "I think it's quite interesting because it's a message to Harry - 'Don't come in and start shouting at me and demanding that years later we still apologise toMeghan...
"Be calm, don't shout, don't nag, don't demand, but let's keep things equal." She added: "I don't think Harry will take the slightest bit of notice about it, unfortunately."
Angela also spoke about the Sussexes'holiday to Canouan Island in the Grenadines, which took place in the same month as Charles's speech: "If you're still shouting at your father to give you money or your late grandmother to give you money and then you go on and spend it all like that and you make no sign that you're being cautious. Or, you're going on private planes and telling people they can't but you can."
Harry has beenat loggerheads with his familyever since his quit royal life and went on to make a number of shocking claims against his loved ones.
In September 2024, reports of a reconciliation resurfaced when King Charles andPrince WilliamandPrincess Katepublicly acknowledged Harry's 40th birthday.
But, while some hoped that it was an indicator of the pair rebuilding their relationship, others believe a more likely reason was that it's as a result of a royal order.
According toInStyle, Richard Palmer, a royal correspondent and commentator, stated that in 2022, the former Queen decreed thatnon-working royals' birthdays would be celebrated (in this case marked on social media) if they end in a zero.