While there is no reason to believe that King Charles III’s reign is nearing its end, royal protocol requires that long-term preparations for a monarch’s eventual passing be carefully mapped out. Now, recent reporting has shed light on details of those plans — including some surprising elements involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

According to The Telegraph, early drafts of Operation Menai Bridge — the codename for King Charles’s funeral — suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will play visible roles in the ceremonial proceedings. These revelations may come as a surprise to some royal watchers, especially given the couple’s estrangement from the core of the royal family since stepping back from their duties in 2020.

Despite strained relations, it seems that Charles envisions a future where his family presents a united front, particularly during a moment of national mourning. Sources close to the palace suggest that the King is keen to leave behind a legacy of cohesion, not division — even if recent years have told a different story.

Harry, now based in California with Meghan and their two children, has made it clear in past interviews and legal filings that he does not feel safe bringing his family back to the UK without full police protection. But as a royal funeral would be considered a state event, the Sussexes would automatically fall under the umbrella of the government’s official security arrangements for the duration of the ceremonies.

Behind the scenes, such plans are years in the making. Funerals of reigning monarchs are typically coordinated with extraordinary attention to detail by senior officials from the royal household, the military, the police, and the Church of England. Every protocol — from procession routes to the order of mourners — is scripted well in advance to ensure flawless execution when the time eventually comes.

A shared royal stage, if only briefly

One of the most notable elements of the early reports is that Prince Harry is expected to walk alongside his brother, Prince William — by then King William V — at the front of the royal procession through central London. The brothers’ last joint appearance in such a setting was at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, a deeply symbolic moment that many hoped would signal reconciliation. Instead, tensions between them have reportedly grown since then, fuelled in part by Harry’s memoir Spare and a string of public interviews.

Even so, Charles’s funeral plans reportedly include the Sussexes not only in the processions but also in the family vigil during the King’s lying in state at Westminster Hall. Meghan is said to be included in the plans as well, standing alongside the most senior royals during the service. Their children, Archie and Lilibet — now six and three years old — are also expected to attend both the main funeral at Westminster Abbey and the private committal service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, should they wish to.

These considerations reflect a deeply personal decision by the monarch, rather than a political one. Despite the media narrative surrounding the Sussexes, sources close to the palace suggest that Charles has always maintained an underlying hope for family unity — at least in symbolic terms.

A funeral shaped by personal values

While much of King Charles’s state funeral is expected to echo the grandeur and solemnity of Queen Elizabeth II’s service, some elements are being shaped by his personal convictions. One notable change reportedly involves his long-standing commitment to environmental causes. From sustainable materials used in construction and transportation, to an emphasis on reducing waste throughout the planning process, the King’s green ethos is said to be embedded in the blueprint.

Another significant shift is the length of mourning. During Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022, the royal family observed a mourning period that extended a full week beyond the funeral. In contrast, Charles reportedly wishes to bring the royal family’s mourning in line with that of the public — roughly 10 or 11 days from the monarch’s death to the day of burial, with no extension afterward.

For now, palace aides are quick to clarify that the King’s funeral plans remain provisional and caution against reading too much into evolving drafts. Yet the very fact that the Sussexes are included so prominently, even amid tensions and legal disputes, suggests that King Charles is thinking beyond headlines.

At 76, Charles continues to carry out royal duties despite ongoing cancer treatment. His schedule remains full, and his public appearances — though less frequent — demonstrate a commitment to reign actively for as long as he is able.

Still, planning for the inevitable is part of royal life. And in those plans, it seems, Charles hopes that even the most fractured branches of his family tree might someday come together in shared remembrance — if not reconciliation.