Prince Charles finally visited his grandson Prince Louis, nine days later
May 3, 2018
On the eve of The Naming of the Third Royal Baby – aka last Thursday – the Daily Mail published a very mean story about Prince William and Prince Charles. It’s no secret that there is a deep division between Charles and William. There have been stories about their strained relationship for years – William seems bratty, Charles seems indifferent, William withholds access to his children, Charles is tired of financing the Cambridges’ lifestyle, and on and on. The DM story was about that, and how those strains manifest in how William positions Charles to look… like an uncaring grandfather, I think. Apparently, William made it so that Charles wasn’t the first grandparent to meet both Charlotte and George: Carole Middleton was the first grandparent in. So with little Prince Lou, Charles didn’t even bother trying to change his schedule. He just stayed in Birkhall in Scotland for the better part of a week before he flew into London on Wednesday.
If anyone wants the exact timeline: Will and Kate brought Prince Lou home to Kensington Palace on the same day he was born, April 23rd. By the morning of April 24th – the next day – Carole Middleton and Pippa Middleton were both visiting Kate. James Middleton and Michael reportedly visited in the first few days as well. Apparently, the Queen took a helicopter into London from Windsor Castle on Tuesday and she saw the baby (May 1st). Camilla also went to see the baby on May 1st. Charles didn’t bother until Wednesday.
Prince Charles has met his youngest grandchild Prince Louis, for the first time. Clarence House confirmed to the MailOnline on Wednesday that both the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have now visited the prince. Charles is thought to have flown in from Scotland, where he is working, to meet Louis who was born on Monday last week.
According to Hello! Charles deliberately chose to delay his first meeting with Prince Louis so that he could coincide his visit with granddaughter Princess Charlotte’s third birthday today. The 69-year-old is thought to be spending time with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their home in Kensington Palace. While catching up with his eldest Prince William and daughter-in-law Kate, Charles will spend time getting to know the family’s latest arrival. Once Charlotte returns home from her day at Willcocks Nursery School the family will resume celebrations for her third birthday in private.
Charles is one of the last members of the family to meet Prince Louis who was born nine days ago, with the Queen arriving at Kensington Palace on Tuesday to meet her great-grandson. This contrasts with the birth of Prince George and Princess Charlotte with their grandfather visiting both grandchildren within 24 hours of the birth.
What does this say about the relationship between father and son? Or does it say more about how this is the third baby, and thus, there was less excitement in general? I don’t know. I think Charles was particularly KEEN to let people know that he was spending time with his grandchildren. I think we can also surmise that if William was keen to let us know the details, those details would have slipped out and they would have involved the word “keen.” Basically, I don’t think this situation has changed much: there’s no thawing, but their Cold War hasn’t escalated. Charles saw the baby and he didn’t rush down and it’s fine. Maybe Charles has just accepted the fact that his son is Bill Middleton now.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
