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Prince Harry will now have to bow to stepmother Camilla despite their tensions

The Duke of Sussex will now be expected to bow to his stepmother Camilla despite tensions between the pair.

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Prince Harry — who is said to have tensions with his stepmother, Camilla Parker Bowles — will have to bow to her now that she is Queen Consort, sources told Page Six.

In fact, he likely would have been expected to do so on Thursday while the family was gathered at Balmoral following Queen Elizabeth’s death at age 96.

One well-placed palace source said: “The personal impact is likely the protocol changes that roll into action almost immediately.

“The family will now have to bow or curtsy to King Charles and Queen [Consort] Camilla.”

Harry, the Duke of Sussex, looked distraught as he was driven into the gates of Balmoral, his grandmother’s beloved Scottish estate, hours after her passing.

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Prince Harry was seen leaving Scotland after the passing of his beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at Balmoral. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images
Prince Harry was seen leaving Scotland after the passing of his beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at Balmoral. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images

He was not on the earlier flight carrying his brother, Prince William, his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and Edward’s wife, Sophie Wessex.

Instead, he flew to Scotland on a separate private jet and arrived just before 8pm UK time (5am AEST) to be reunited with his estranged family.

The Queen passed away in the afternoon (local time), before most of her family arrived.

Only son Charles and his sister, Princess Anne, were reportedly there.

Now that Charles is king, everyone in the royal family is expected to bow and curtsy to him and his wife, Camilla, the new Queen Consort — including his own children. Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images
Now that Charles is king, everyone in the royal family is expected to bow and curtsy to him and his wife, Camilla, the new Queen Consort — including his own children. Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images
Camilla said she was “honoured” to have the Queen Consort title. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Camilla said she was “honoured” to have the Queen Consort title. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Page Six has previously reported that Harry is “no fan” of Camilla, who had a long-running affair with his father while Charles was still married to Harry and William’s mother, Princess Diana.

Nonetheless, tradition dictates Harry will need to bow to the Queen Consort.

“It would be the protocol to bow to the new King and Queen,” Majesty managing editor Joe Little told Page Six.

“Whether that happened under such circumstances [on Thursday or Friday morning] is debatable, but any time the royal family meets the new King and Queen, the done thing would be to bow or curtsy to them.”

Asked what William and Harry would now call their father, Little said: “It would still be Pa. The Queen and Prince Philip were Ma and Pa to their children; whatever William and Harry called Charles and Camilla yesterday, they will call them that today.”

Harry was the first of the royal family to leave Balmoral early Friday (local time) on a British Airways flight back to London, where he was set to be reunited with wife Meghan Markle at their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.

He was seen leaving around 8.20am UK time (5.30am AEST).

Harry and Camilla are said to have a frosty relationship. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Harry and Camilla are said to have a frosty relationship. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Markle did not join her husband in Scotland despite originally planning to.

Although insiders told us there was nothing nefarious behind the decision, the BBC’s long-running royal editor, Nicholas Witchell, said on air she may well not have been welcomed there.

Harry was seen giving an airport worker a hug as he made his way to the plane on Friday morning (local time).

Sources told Page Six that he will stay in the UK for the next 10 days until the Queen’s state funeral, widely believed to be scheduled for Monday, September 19.

The prince will celebrate his 38th birthday on September 15.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Prince Harry will now have to bow to stepmother Camilla despite their tensions

Read related topics:Prince Harry

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/prince-harry-will-now-have-to-bow-to-stepmother-camilla-despite-their-tensions/news-story/43e8ca4cc37fb0328ff15677e8eef32a