Queen Consort Camilla appeared to be making a subtle offer for unity with Harry and Meghan in a charming photo amid Paddington Bear toys. Camilla, 75, was photographed in the Morning Room at Clarence House to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington bear book. She was surrounded by some of the more than a thousand Paddington toy bears left behind by royal fans, some of whom also left behind marmalade sandwiches in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death. However, eagle-eyed royal fans quickly noticed that among the family photos behind the Queen Consort was one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The soft toys left by Royal fans, it was revealed yesterday, will be donated to vulnerable children supported by Barnardo’s charity. A tweet from the royal family said the bears will be “scrubbed to look their best” before arriving at their new home.
The patronage of the charity was transferred from Queen Elizabeth II to Camilla in 2016. The royal family added that the teddy bears are “currently well looked after” at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and the Royal Parks nursery in Hyde Park, after being left next to thousands of flowers and written tributes outside royal residences in London and Windsor.
Aside from the heartwarming future for the donated toys of the Paddington Bear, however, Camilla’s photo disguised a message of peace to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who moved to the US and left royal duties in 2020. Queen Consort showed up with King Charles, Willem and Katetheir three children, and with Harry and Meghan while they were there Prince Louis’ baptism in 2019.
Another, taken on the occasion of the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, captured her in a sparkly dress by the side of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021. A nod to the king’s grandmother was also present in the form of a black and white close-up of the Queen Mother.
When she appeared next to a photo of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from their time as part of the royal family, Camilla seemed to share her husband’s feelings, who expressed his “love” for them in his maiden speech as king.
Charles said: “I also want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives abroad.”
The inclusion of the photo comes after royal expert Angela Levin claimed Camilla was “very hurt” by the way Harry and Meghan treated the king.
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Speaking to Sky News, Ms Levin said: “I think she is very cautious. She doesn’t try to push herself towards them.
“She gets very upset when they hurt King Charles. She felt very sorry for him. But she understands how parents can love their children but absolutely hate what they do.”
Some had hoped that the events surrounding the Queen’s death would help rekindle the ties between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the Firm – particularly the relationship between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William. The pair were spotted together again watching flower tributes outside Windsor Castle.
However, as Royal commentator Daniela Elser noted, the brothers barely interacted during the time, which she said “seems to reflect the degree of disintegration of the brothers’ once close bond.”
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Speaking of the wider events surrounding the funeral, Ms Elser added: “Now that the Palace has thrown Harry and Meghan into the second row during Monday’s service at Westminster Abbey and with no indication that Harry might be able to suspend his memoirs, no one seems willing to give an inch.” There may be a glimmer of hope for the future of their relationship, however, as an upcoming trip to the US for the Prince and Princess of Wales will reportedly see Kate trying to “extend an olive branch” to Meghan Markle “in an attempt to reunite the brothers and heal the chasm”.
A source told US Weekly that the Duchess of Sussex is “willing to make an effort as long as the dates don’t clash”, highlighting their “hectic” schedules. William and Kate head to Boston to attend the second Earthshot Prize ceremony, their first time in the US since 2014.
Paddington Bear had become a symbol for the Queen after her death for one of her last and most memorable public appearances, in a heartwarming sketch she filmed with the character for the Platinum Jubilee. Royal Parks bosses reportedly had to urge benefactors to stop bequeathing Paddington Bear tributes for leaving too many behind.
Prince William admitted to being “choked” at the sight of all the toys, saying: “It’s the things you don’t expect that hit you.”