Seth Udinski, FISM News
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The drama surrounding the interfamilial strife in England’s royal family has dominated headlines for the last three years, with the well-publicized split between Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, alongside his wife Meghan Markel, Duchess of Sussex, and the other members of England’s ruling house.
The latest chapter in the familial intrigue was revealed yesterday, when Harry confirmed that he will plan to attend the coronation ceremony of his father, King Charles III, at Westminster Abbey next month. Meanwhile, Markel will remain at the couple’s home in Southern California with their two children.
Harry and Meghan have been worldwide celebrities as a couple ever since they began dating. But their notoriety reached fever pitch in 2020 when the couple announced they would essentially sever their ties with the royal family and step down from the responsibilities that come with it.
In 2022, the rift became a chasm when the couple partnered with Netflix to release a tell-all docuseries revealing their side of the rift. Harry followed that up with a biography titled “Spare,” in which Harry revealed his frustrations feeling like the forgotten child next to his older brother and heir to the throne, Prince William.
Harry and Meghan have accused the royal family of belittling Meghan, mistreating their family, and even discriminating against their children based on the fact that Meghan is mixed-race.
Aside from the conflict between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of the family, the House of Windsor has dominated the spotlight uniquely this past year with the death of the family matriarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
The beloved queen was the longest-reigning monarch in the 1,500-year history of the English people, ruling from 1952 until her death in September of 2022. At the funeral, the severed royal family briefly put aside their differences to attend together.
Author’s Biblical Analysis
There is much for Christians to consider in this report.
Whenever I hear about Harry and Meghan giving details about their “hardships and suffering,” usually my first response is skepticism. It is difficult to feel empathy or compassion for the couple’s victim narrative when they are in reality extremely wealthy and globally popular.
I believe there is a lesson for us as Christians to be reminded about the nature of true hardship and suffering. I say that in no way to downplay the difficulty when we have conflicts with those we love. I say it simply for us to remember to count our blessings.
But furthermore, there is much to be said in this report about the realities we all face in familial strife.
No matter your opinion on Harry and Meghan, we can see clearly that they have experienced a serious rift in their family, and this can be a terrible situation.
We all want to be loved, accepted, and cherished by our families, and for many of us, this is not the case. Perhaps you come from a family that does not believe or accept the Christian worldview, and as such, feel slighted, mistreated, or pushed aside.
Believer, you must remember, no matter your familial situation, that you are a part of the family of God, and as such have a heavenly Father who shows you true unconditional love.
As an adopted child you have been predestined, called, justified, and someday will be glorified (Romans 8:28). This means you are part of this eternal family.
Take this as encouragement for you, and also as a reminder to invest in these relationships. Be active in your local church. Serve and love the believers around you. Be in community and be open to accountability from your fellow believers.
And as you interact with your biological family be ready to show them the love of Christ, even if they have mistreated you. The ultimate way to do this is to give them what they need most, the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel so that they too can join your eternal family.
Take great joy in your perfect Father and in your Perfect Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on your behalf.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. – Galatians 4:6-7