Additional Coverage:
- Prince Harry And Prince William Reportedly ‘Pleaded’ With King Charles Not To Marry Queen Camilla: ’Nobody Wanted That’ (shefinds.com)
Princes William and Harry Initially Opposed King Charles’ Marriage to Camilla
The recent anniversary of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s marriage has brought renewed attention to the initial reservations Prince William and Prince Harry held about their father’s remarriage. At the time of the 2005 nuptials, the princes were still grappling with the loss of their mother, Princess Diana, who divorced Charles in 1996 and tragically died in 1997. Adding to the complexity was the long and controversial history between Charles and Camilla, a relationship that predated Diana’s death and even the divorce.
In his memoir, Prince Harry recounts the brothers’ conflicted feelings. He writes that while he and William believed their father deserved companionship, they urged him not to marry Camilla.
Harry states, “Willy and I promised Pa that we’d welcome Camilla into the family.” However, they made a crucial request: “The only thing we asked in return was that he not marry her.”
The princes feared a wedding would reignite public discussion about Diana and invite comparisons between her and Camilla, generating unwanted controversy. Harry recalls pleading with their father, saying, “A wedding would cause controversy.
It would incite the press… nobody wanted that.” He continued, “We support you… We endorse Camilla… Just please don’t marry her.
Just be together, Pa.”
According to Harry, their father remained silent on the matter. Ultimately, Charles went ahead with the marriage, a decision which, as Harry notes, speaks for itself.