Duchess Camilla to act as peacemaker if Meghan and Harry return to the UK for Christmas

Duchess Camilla has shown 'affection' to Meghan in the past, say royal experts

Duchess Camilla has shown 'affection' to Meghan in the past, say royal experts
(Image credit: Getty)

Camilla Parker Bowles may take on the unlikely role of peacemaker this Christmas if Meghan and Harry return to the UK, royal experts have revealed.

  • Camilla Parker Bowles could be the peacemaker at the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations this year, royal experts say. 
  • The Duchess of Cornwall has reportedly shown "affection" to Meghan Markle in the past, and could therefore be the perfect candidate to help her readjust to the Royal Family after nearly two years away. 
  • In other royal news, Buckingham Palace could be destroyed by floods, warn climate scientists.

After the hectic year they’ve had, Christmas 2021 for the Royal Family is gearing up to be quite the dramatic occasion. 

The Queen hasn't exactly had it easy over the past eighteen months, having lost her husband of 73 years in the spring and watched the heartbreaking breakdown of her family dynamic unfold on the public stage. If that wasn't stressful enough, she's been unable to fulfil her royal engagements as per usual, with COVID-19 restrictions greatly limiting her freedom to travel. 

However, it looks like things are finally getting back to normal for the 95-year-old monarch. 

It’s expected that Meghan and Harry will bring Lilibet to the UK for Christmas for her first in-person meeting with her great-grandmother—a reunion that will also mark the Duchess of Sussex’s first trip back to Britain since she and her husband emigrated to the US in early 2020. (Harry has already returned twice; once for Prince Philip’s funeral in April and then again for the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue in July). 

Meghan Markle and the Queen and Harry

(Image credit: Getty)

The highly-anticipated visit in December has been identified by royal experts as a potential turning point in the couple’s strained relationship with their UK relatives. With several months having now passed since Meghan and Harry’s bombshell interview with Oprah—in which they made allegations of racism against Buckingham Palace—it’s hoped that tensions will have eased and the famous family can finally patch things up.  

"Christmas is being looked at as an opportunity," Katie Nicholl told Closer magazine in September. "There may be a softening, which could pave the way for healing of the family rift." 

“It’s certainly what the Queen wants. Prince Charles would like to see his grandchildren. A meet-up suggests they hope to move on and sort things out.” 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (2R) talks with Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) as Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (L) talks with Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, (2L) as they all attend the Commonwealth Day service

(Image credit: Photo by RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

However, recent developments in the ongoing Royal Family drama may make this ‘meet-up’ a bit frostier than expected. 

It has now been revealed that the Queen will not be at Lilibet’s christening, with Meghan and Harry reportedly opting to baptize their second child at an Episcopal Church in California rather than Windsor Castle in England. 

Harry, Meghan and Archie

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their first child, Archie 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This decision to break the tradition of christening new members of the Royal Family into the Church of England coincides with the news that Harry will not return to the UK for a reception in honor of Princess Diana at Kensington Palace next week. 

With their actions reportedly angering both Prince Charles and Prince William, Meghan and Harry could benefit from an ally once they finally arrive for their Royal Family Christmas at Sandringham House this December. Camilla Parker Bowles has been identified as the surprising candidate to help the pair survive the festive season, with royal experts noting her history of “affection” towards the Duchess of Sussex in particular. 

Camilla and Meghan at the Prince of Wales' 70th birthday in 2018

(Image credit: Getty)

The two women may be from totally different generations and backgrounds, but the future Queen-consort has reportedly always had a soft spot for her American step-niece. Duchess Camilla’s intimate gesture towards Meghan in 2018 has been interpreted as a sign that she welcomes her into the family, suggesting a solid rapport between the pair. 

Prince Charles also has a history of being kind to his daughter-in-law, reportedly calling Meghan this secret nickname when she first married Prince Harry. 

Looks like a Royal Family reconciliation mightn't be off the cards after all. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.