RICHARD EDEN: Why Harry and Meghan should beg for forgiveness from Kate

Who would you tell if you were diagnosed with cancer? Your family, close friends and colleagues perhaps?

The fact that the Princess of Wales did not choose to inform the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of her shocking news speaks volumes about the state of their relationship. Therefore, as I will explain, now is the time for Harry and Meghan to seek forgiveness.

Prince Harry and his wife discovered their sister-in-law Kate had cancer at the same time as the rest of the world – at 6pm on Friday, when Kensington Palace released its courageous and moving video message.

That was about an hour and thirty minutes later than the royal correspondents, who were given the details in confidence so they could prepare their news reports. Apparently they were trusted.

That neither Kate nor Prince William would inform Prince Harry of this would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

Think back to all those happy photos and television images of the three – pre-Meghan – together.

Harry often had a big smile on his face as they took part in their joint engagements. They shared jokes and teased each other light-heartedly.

That all changed after Harry met Meghan.

The so-called ‘Fab Four”s first public appearance at the Royal Foundation Forum in 2018 looked awkward. The body language was awkward.

Even worse followed. Harry’s expression as he stood next to William and Kate quickly changed from playfulness to suspicion and something akin to resentment.

We didn’t know at the time how completely the relationship between the brothers had broken down, although some had their suspicions.

But we didn’t doubt it when Prince Harry and Meghan gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey, who had been a surprise guest at their wedding.

This was 2021 and Grandmother Queen Elizabeth was still alive.

Among the many shocking claims was Meghan’s accusation that Kate made her cry during a dispute over dresses for the flower girls at the Sussexes’ wedding.

Even more damaging was the claim that there had been ‘concerns and conversations within the royal family about how dark’ the skin of the child they were expecting at the time – Archie – would be.

Back in London, the reaction was outrage and disgust. When asked about Meghan’s claims a few days later, William responded with barely suppressed anger. “We are absolutely not a racist family,” he said curtly.

The royal family’s distress was compounded by the fact that the interview was broadcast while Prince Philip was in hospital. He died just a month later.

As always, Kate remained silent in public, no matter how much pain she suffered privately after the insults across the Atlantic.

We saw what a natural diplomat she is when, after Prince Philip’s funeral in Windsor, she could be seen talking to Harry as they left St. George’s Chapel before discreetly stepping back and allowing William to talk more privately with his brother to talk.

However, her friendly efforts seemed to make little difference.

In fact, they were thrown back in her face by Harry and Meghan who made a tell-all ‘docu-series’ for Netflix aimed at further insulting the royal family.

This included Harry’s suggestion that most men in the royal family would marry “someone who would fit the bill” – while he, Harry, had dared to marry Meghan out of love.

How could this not be taken as a cruel joke against the dutiful Kate?

Then, as if the Sussexes hadn’t caused William and Kate enough misery, along came Harry’s memoir, Spare. This was published in January 2023 and was the biggest betrayal of all.

By portraying his brother and sister-in-law as cold, heartless villains, the book revealed some of their most intimate conversations, as Prince Harry recalled. William has chosen to maintain a dignified silence.

Since Kate announced her cancer diagnosis, there have been numerous suggestions that she and William should end their rift with Harry and Meghan.

But before that can happen, the Sussexes must acknowledge the pain they have caused and the damage that has been done.

They must then apologize and beg forgiveness from Catherine and her husband, who deserve nothing less.

What a joy it would be if they could start renewing their relationship with the royal family during Easter – a time of renewal.

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