Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby will finally give Prince Charles the grandson he wants after being "excluded by Prince William and Kate Middleton"

He has a real "weak" for her, whereas she considers him a paternal figure.

The close ties between Prince Charles and his daughter-in-law were clear this week as the two men moved closer to each other at Westminster Abbey.

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Behind the scenes, Meghan and the future king are as big as thieves.

With Prince Harry, Meghan often goes to Clarence House for tea.

And when Susbad's baby arrives next month, Charles can play the grandfather again.

This caring and cuddling Charles is determined not to repeat the mistakes of his family's past.

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Five years ago, it was very different. Charles reportedly complained of feeling excluded from Prince George's life, saying that he "almost never" saw the first child of William and Kate. The perception was that while Kate's parents, Mike and Carole Middleton, were almost always present, Charles was cold and distant.

His own education was austere and, with his constant travels for royal affairs, he had little free time.

Those who know him scoff at the idea that he would change a diaper or give George a lunch – a treat for Middleton.

When George got one, Charles chose to visit a squirrel conservation project in Scotland rather than going to his birthday party at Kensington Palace. Even the queen has arrived.

Things have improved with the arrival of Charlotte, now three years old, and Louis, almost one. Charles now feels he is more active in the lives of his grandchildren.

HAPPY CHAOS

Photos taken last fall to celebrate Charles '70th birthday – showing Wills, Kate, Meghan and Harry laughing after Louis' attack – suggest he's more relaxed.

Harry and Meghan's baby mean he can do everything better this time.

A friend said, "At the birth of Prince George, Charles was less easy to play in the role of a grandfather.

"But now he welcomes every new arrival with a wider smile and even more open arms. He loves the joyous chaos of all this. "

The relationship between Charles and his two sons is better than today.

At the time of George's birth, Charles and William allegedly quarreled over a loan to renovate Wills' house, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk.

For a time they saw little in private – and Charles, therefore, did not see much of William's children. It has changed since then.

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Harry too has had ups and downs with his father, although historically he has moved closer to him.

Charles played the role of "peacemaker" in the tensions between his two boys.

His belief that they should make their own way meant that he supported Harry when he wanted to separate his household from that of William – a move officialized this week.

But Palace insiders say it's Meghan, whose relationship with his own father has been publicly broken, which has helped bring Harry and Charles closer together.

A friend of Charles said, "He was captivated by Meghan during his first meeting with her. He found her extremely intelligent, hardworking and impressive. They have a really warm relationship.

"When she moved to London for the first time, Meghan was very interested in the family's story. Art was the means by which they spoke about it. They have a lot in common. He has a natural affection for her. "

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Harry was delighted that Charles welcomed him with open arms – including offering him to walk down the aisle on their wedding day after Thomas Markle's departure.

Last summer, at a garden party celebrating Charles' 70th birthday, Harry said of his father, "His enthusiasm and energy are really contagious. This certainly inspired William and me to get involved in issues that are important to us. "

During his speech at Harry's wedding, Charles said, "My old Harry, darling, I'm so happy for you."

A friend of Harry adds, "Charles will double ensure that he spends as much time as possible with the new baby. The way is open for him and for Doria (Meghan's mother) to build strong bonds with their grandparents. "

The malfunctions of the Markle family give Charles the opportunity to repair the mistakes of the past.

Meghan is very close to her mother and Doria will come here next month to help her daughter.

James Breeden – The sun

But the information that she will leave Los Angeles permanently, at about 5,500 km, seems far from reality. Instead, she will rely on visits to build relationships with her grandson.

Thomas's relationship with Meghan seems irreparably damaged after a series of strokes – from paparazzi shots staged to hostile interviews, to the abandonment of marriage at the last minute and even allowing a sincere letter to filter through. Meghan begs him to "stop victimizing me" and "please, let us live our lives in peace".

It should be remembered that Harry still has not met his stepfather – and it is not clear if this day will come EVER now.

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As a widower and divorced woman with her own troubled past, Charles can certainly understand the tumult of the Markle clan.

And as his relationship with Thomas crumbles, Charles seems happy to fill this gap – and thus badures him a leading role in the life of the baby to come.

A palace insider said, "Charles wants to be a good and devoted father-in-law. Meghan has been badured that all the concerns of her royal family will garner her full attention and kindness.

RELAXATION AND TOUCH

"Charles likes to be included by Meghan and Harry encourages him to be comfortable with Charles.

"The real icebreaker was her willingness to walk Meghan in the alley, which sealed their budding friendship."

Charles never had the chance to forge a meaningful relationship with one of his grandfathers. Prince Andrew of Greece, father of the Duke of Edinburgh, died before the birth of Charles. And the father of the queen, George VI, died when Charles was three years old. The queen mother entered this void and was a consoling presence for Charles until his death in 2002.

In recent months, Charles has laid the foundation for a special relationship with the newcomer.

Sources say the Susbad are frequently invited to Clarence House for informal discussions around a tea and cake. One of his friends said: "He prefers to receive them at home rather than go to Nottingham Cottage (where Harry and Meghan live) and stumble on their two rescue dogs."

Observers say that Charles is relaxed around Meghan, even tactile – which she seems to like. He also seems more comfortable with his son when Meghan is present. The trio discusses history and culture, as well as the couple's plans to settle at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Harry has always been closer to his father than William. Wills is relegated to the background of the royal structure since the Susbad wedding last May.

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In the midst of rumors of a thrill in the air between Meghan and Kate, Kensington Palace insiders claim that the old harmony between the two brothers is now "distant and fractured". Some suggest that Charles might have an ultimate motive for keeping Meghan close to him.

A source says, "Charles wants to contain any further outbreak, whether it's a Markle reaction or the" Cambridge v Susbad "fraternal fallout, which Sandringham had to rest at Christmas. The queen was exasperated by indiscriminate fire and asked Charles to end his activities. "

In any case, we can not blame him for wanting to play a central role in the life of his last grandchild.

PA: Press Association

He has softened over the years and wants royalty to be younger in the limelight, while enjoying a relaxing private life.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said, "For Charles, this baby embodies Harry's happiness. His youngest son will finally have his own family.

"Harry had ups and downs and becoming a father will throw him anchor. As a parent, that's all that Charles has always wanted.

Baby Susbad will be seventh from the throne. But for Charles, become the beloved grandfather, the new king will be his number one priority.

Meghan Markle was a "failure" and "an actress on the hill" before meeting Prince Harry, says Andrew Morton in Meghan & amp; The Markles A family at war

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