Today, princes William and Harry appear more estranged than ever, residing on different continents with minimal communication. Their separation within the Royal Family is evident.
Harry’s Return for Invictus Games
When Harry returned to the UK for the Invictus Games’ ten-year anniversary, the rift between the brothers was clear as they did not meet during his visit.
Historical Dukedoms Rest in Peace
Interestingly, the previous Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex, who held the titles before William and Harry, are buried near each other in Kensal Green Cemetery in north-west London.
Kensal Green Cemetery: An Unlikely Royal Resting Place
Among thousands of graves, the Duke of Cambridge lies in an Egyptian-style mausoleum, while the Duke of Sussex rests in a grand tomb nearby, accompanied by his wife and sister, Princess Sophia.
Royal Ancestry and Parallel Lives
Both the 19th-century dukes were direct descendants of a monarch: the Duke of Sussex was the son of George III, and the Duke of Cambridge was his grandson. Their lives, though different, share striking similarities with their 21st-century successors.
The Unique Burial Choices of Royal Dukes
Despite their royal lineage, these dukes ended up in a public cemetery rather than the traditional royal burial sites like St George’s Chapel or Frogmore. Their burial choices reflect their personal and marital decisions.
Kensal Green Cemetery’s Notable Residents
Kensal Green is one of London’s ‘magnificent seven’ Victorian cemeteries, home to notable figures like engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, playwrights Harold Pinter and Terence Rattigan, and novelists Wilkie Collins, Anthony Trollope, and William Makepeace Thackeray.
The Influence of Marital Choices
The burial locations of these dukes reveal much about their characters and the women they chose to marry. Prince George’s controversial marriage to actress Sarah Fairbrother, without royal consent, led to his exclusion from traditional royal burial sites.
Consequences of Breaching the Royal Marriages Act
Both dukes violated the Royal Marriages Act, which required sovereign approval for royal marriages. This act, repealed in 2011, led to the lapse of their titles, which were later revived by Queen Elizabeth II for William and Harry.
Legacy and Succession of Titles
Prince Harry’s son, Archie, is likely to inherit the Duke of Sussex title, while William’s Duke of Cambridge title will revert to the Crown when he becomes king. Their lives will continue to be compared with their historical counterparts.
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