Opinion: 'It's been 12 months of cold silence between the Sussexes and the royal family since Spare was released'

Exactly a year ago, Prince Harry dropped a metaphorical bomb into the royal family's lap in the shape of his revelatory memoir, Spare.

The ghost-written autobiography was layered with anecdotes about his time in the royal fold, as well claims on how he's been treated in the years since the bombshell exit in 2020.

Only one public royal reunion, at King Charles II's coronation in May 2023, has taken place since. One might assume that time can heal all wounds. In this case, however, the passage of time appears to have only fanned the flames.

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As of January 2024, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan appear more estranged from the royal family. The glue that once held them all together was Queen Elizabeth II.

Usually a death brings loved ones closer together. The late monarch's passing didn't seem to do anything of the sort.

It's been 12 months of cold silence between the Sussexes and the royals.

If Queen Elizabeth's death and a transfer of the British throne didn't bring Harry and Meghan back into the royal family's arms, what could?

Traditionally, the British royal way is "never complain, never explain". But the Duke of Sussex's memoir was a fascinating mix of both complaints and explanations.

It's not hard to understand why forgiveness may not have been immediate. 

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And if the news that Spare was solely to blame for the royal family's slump in popularity last year is to be believed, Charles and Camilla, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, could still be very upset.

When Charles and Camilla shared a 2023 wrap-up video featuring their family, there was no mention of Harry and his wife.

When Prince William flew to New York in September 2023, it was speculated he may have a private reunion with his brother in Los Angeles. It appears no such reunion took place.

When Harry returned to the UK multiple times for his legal battles and to attend the WellChild awards, there was no news of a visit to the palace.

Palace insiders told Vanity Fair that King Charles made no effort to catch up with his son during his last sojourn in the UK. The same source claimed William hadn't spoken to Harry in months.

If you thought 2024 might mark a new chapter for the royals and the Sussexes, there's little evidence to suggest this. Hope of a royal reunion is diminishing.

Spare is still sitting on the bestseller list, media outlets are still spinning yarns about the rift between Harry and William and there seems to be no plans for the Sussexes to head to the UK for a cup of tea with the royals.

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In fact, Harry and Meghan will likely be making 2024 a year of their own official rebrand.

They appear to want to distance themselves from the drama of 2023, using the fresh slate to focus on their brand, business and charity work.

"We have so many exciting things on the slate. I can't wait until we can announce them," Meghan revealed at Variety's Power of Women event in November 2023.

The Sussexes have been fond of surprises over the past four years.

But the biggest surprise would be a reunion with the royal family.