King Charles celebrated his official birthday with the traditional Trooping the Colour parade, a grand event that gathered thousands of spectators and showcased the strength and unity of the royal family.
After the ceremony, the King appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside senior working royals, projecting a united front. According to a body language expert, this appearance may have also carried a quiet message for his estranged son, Prince Harry.
A Royal Showcase of Stability and Strength
Body language expert Judi James noted how the royals embodied their long-standing motto of resilience and discretion. “Posing in the glorious sunshine in front of the cheering crowds, the [royal family] proved once again what they are good at and what has been crucial for their survival: stoicism and the ‘never complain, never explain’ philosophy,” she told the Daily Express.
Although Charles appeared slightly tense during the carriage ride to the palace, he shifted to a warm and cheerful demeanor on the balcony—smiling and even sharing a light moment with his grandson, Prince Louis.
Charles and William Share a Telling Moment
One particular interaction stood out: a brief conversation between King Charles and Prince William on the balcony. James interpreted this as more than casual chatter. Historically, Charles often turned to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, during public appearances, but this time he chose his son.
“This father-son exchange of words looked important and symbolic,” James said, adding that Charles tends to give his attention to those most central in his life at the time. “To chat to William suggested a new era of warmth and compatibility between the two men.”
She also noted William’s respectful stance, hands clasped in front of him in a posture reminiscent of how he used to stand with Queen Elizabeth, signaling deference to both his father and the monarchy. Together, she believes, they projected a sense of unity that indirectly underscored the distance from Prince Harry.
Joining King Charles and Queen Camilla on the balcony were the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—alongside senior royals such as Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, and Prince Richard and Duchess Birgitte.
Once again, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were absent, having not attended the event since 2019.
No Sign of Reconciliation Yet
Despite Harry’s public wish to reconnect with his family—most notably during a BBC interview—no response has come from within the royal ranks. In his memoir Spare, Harry made explosive claims, including that Prince William physically attacked him during an argument in 2019.
Although Harry has admitted that his family may never forgive him, some speculate a reunion might happen in 2027 when he is expected to return to the UK for the Invictus Games in Birmingham. Still, insiders say trust remains a major hurdle.
“They don’t trust him and Meghan, and that’s why they can’t have a relationship,” one source told Page Six. “Maybe there’s room to forgive, but they won’t forget. Forgiveness and trust are two different things.”
The Monarch’s Focus: Unity Within the Fold
For now, King Charles appears focused on strengthening ties within the core royal family. With a balcony filled with working royals and his heir at his side, the King is signaling both stability and succession—emphasizing the future of the monarchy without looking back.