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The recent World Health Organization (WHO) fundraising dinner in New York City saw an unexpected diplomatic clash between Prince Harry and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. The high-profile event, which aimed to raise awareness about violence against children and its impact on mental health, was meant to be a unifying moment for the royals in attendance. However, it quickly became the stage for a controversial encounter that has left many royal watchers questioning the underlying tensions.
The dinner, which was attended by a host of dignitaries including the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker, and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was meant to showcase unity and collaboration on important global health issues. But tensions reportedly arose when Prince Harry arrived and approached Queen Mathilde seeking a photo opportunity. According to witnesses, the Belgian royal firmly rebuffed Harry's request, telling him directly "no, I will not pose for a photo with you."
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The incident, which surprised many in attendance, has sent shockwaves through royal circles and the media. It has led to much speculation that Queen Mathilde's refusal to engage with Prince Harry was a deliberate snub - a clear message of her displeasure with the Duke of Sussex and his ongoing disputes with the British royal family. "It was a tense moment," said one anonymous source who was present. "You could feel the awkwardness in the air as Prince Harry approached the queen only to be firmly rejected. It was a diplomatic clash of the highest order."
The reasons behind Queen Mathilde's apparent rebuff of Prince Harry remain unclear. However, some experts have suggested it may be linked to Harry's ongoing tensions with the British monarchy since he and wife Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Prince Harry has been embroiled in a series of public disputes with his relatives, including his brother Prince William and father King Charles III. As a result, Queen Mathilde's actions have been interpreted by some as a show of solidarity with the British royals - a subtle message that she does not condone Harry's behavior and the way he has handled relations with his family.
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"It's a clear sign the rift between Prince Harry and the rest of the royals is still very much alive," said royal commentator Emily Andrews. "Queen Mathilde's refusal to pose with him was a diplomatic slap in the face." However, others argue the situation may have been more nuanced. As a neutral party, Queen Mathilde may have been attempting to avoid getting drawn into the ongoing tensions between Harry and the British royal family. Her decision could also have been based on personal preference alone, rather than a deliberate snub of the prince.
"We shouldn't jump to conclusions," said royal historian David Starkey. "There could be any number of reasons why the queen chose not to pose for a photo with Prince Harry. It may not have been a deliberate snub at all." Some have even speculated Queen Mathilde may have wished to avoid overshadowing the serious issues of children's health and well-being that the event aimed to highlight.
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Regardless of her true motivations, the awkward public encounter has added fuel to ongoing rumors of division between Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family. It comes after months of bombshell media interviews in which Harry levied criticism against his relatives. In March 2021, he and Meghan made accusations of racism during their explosive Oprah interview, while more recent interviews have seen Harry take aim at his father's parenting skills.
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The exchange with Queen Mathilde now leaves lingering questions over whether international royal figures will show solidarity with the British monarchy by distancing themselves from Prince Harry. It remains to be seen whether further signs of strain will emerge in future interactions between Harry and non-British royals. For now, the diplomatic clash in New York has underscored the sensitivity of Harry's position, as an estranged royal still representing the United Kingdom on the global stage. How he navigates these complex dynamics could have significant implications for years to come.
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