Royal news: William extends olive branch to Harry, fans criticise royal family photo

In this week’s royal news update, we find out that Prince William’s interview with Apple Fitness’s new series may have been an olive branch to his estranged brother, as he recalled many fond memories he shared with him back in the day.

Meghan and Harry face major backlash for their controversial BBC documentary The Princess and the Press, the queen is set to have a formal Christmas with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Cambridges have shared a family photo which royal fans have labelled “insensitive”.

Could Prince William be extending an olive branch to Prince Harry?

During an interview on Apple Fitness’s series The Time To Walk, Prince William recalled fond moments he shared with his brother Prince Harry back in the day, when their relationship was strong and untainted.

A source spoke out about the interview and said William sharing the memories could be a gesture of him extending an olive branch to the Duke of Sussex.

“It was almost as if William was extending the olive branch to Harry, speaking of their childhood memories so tenderly despite all the bad blood between them,” said the source.

Meghan and Harry face major setback after controversial BBC documentary

There has been major controversy over Rajan’s The Princess and the Press two-part BBC documentary, which explores the conflicted relationship that Prince Harry and Prince William have with the media.

The documentary was heavily criticised by the royal family, after they were denied permission to watch it before it aired.

Following the backlash from the royal family and royal fans, and after receiving nearly 1,000 complaints from members of the public, the BBC confirmed that the follow-up series, Harry, Meghan and the Media – which was meant to be aired over two weeks ago – is “still in production and will be released as a box set when it is ready”.

ALSO READ: Royal news: William recalls how Diana calmed their nerves, queen in mourning

The queen will have a formal Christmas will Meghan and Harry

It was revealed by royal correspondent Niel Sean that Queen Elizabeth II would be spending Christmas this year at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk with her closest family.

The expert also claimed that the queen would be extending the festivities to Meghan and Harry, even though they won’t be physically present on Christmas day.

“There will be some gifts but it will be very formal. The queen is far too gracious to be childish and not include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the gift package,” said Sean.

During an appearance on James Corden’s The Late Show last year, Harry revealed that his grandmother had asked him what Archie would like for Christmas, and he said a waffle maker.

“Interestingly, my grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas and Meg said a waffle maker.

“Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix, in the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes, he loves it. Archie literally wakes up in the morning and says ‘waffle’,” said Harry.

Royal critics react to Kate and William’s family Christmas card

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have taken to social media to share their family Christmas photo with the world, and many royal fans have labelled it as an “insensitive” photograph.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

“Delighted to share a new image of the family, which features on this year’s Christmas card,” said the Cambridges in their caption.

The couple and their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – are seen posing in a random bushveld, dressed in earth tone dresses, collard shirts and shorts while sitting on what seems to be a dead animal’s fur.

“There are questions that could be raised about the advisability of posing for a Christmas card on an international vacation in the middle of a global pandemic.

“I’m not saying that no one has gone on vacation, but it’s just for some probably going to read as a little insensitive,” said a royal critic on TikTok.

Another royal critic, Elizabeth Holmes, took to social media to comment on the picture.

“My guess is that they were intending to invoke Kate’s childhood time in Jordan, Will’s trip to the country in 2018, and its importance to Christianity.

“I understand completely using a family vacation photo for your holiday card especially when it’s a place of great meaning.

“But the staging of this photograph raised a lot of questions about their travel and prompted discussions about colonialism,” said Holmes.