Prince Harry is in the UK for a special anniversary of the Invictus Games – but King Charles won’t be meeting him. The duke’s response still shows a glimmer of hope for reconciliation
King Charles’ busy schedule has thrown a spanner in the works for meeting his son Prince Harry this week – but five words from the Duke shows fresh hope.
Harry landed in UK earlier today and has been spotted at an Invictus Games commitment, ahead of the main ceremony in St Paul’s cathedral on Wednesday, celebrating 10 years of the project.
Sources revealed last week that the monarch very much hoped to see Harry during his visit, diary permitting, but the duke’s team have since confirmed that won’t be happening.
A spokesperson said: “It, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities.”
Despite the fresh blow, there was one sign Harry remains hopeful. The second part of the statement noted that the duke “hopes to see him [Charles] soon,” hinting that the door is still open for the King.
The last time the pair were together was shortly after Charles’ cancer diagnosis had been announced when Harry rushed back to his home country to see his father in person. The duke only saw his father for 30 minutes before Charles returned to Sandringham to get some rest, having begun his cancer treatment as an outpatient.
Charles has recently been cleared by his doctors to return to some public-facing duties, after a period of being limited to working behind closed doors on business of state – something that his nephew Peter Phillips has noted left the monarch “frustrated”.
While Charles’s diary will “remain subject to doctors’ advice” and the monarch isn’t expected to be at full steam when it comes to working over the summer, his medical team are “sufficiently pleased” with his progress to allow the King to get back to official engagements. He kicked things off last week with a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre and a trip to the Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite events.
Sources told The Mirror that if the King’s diary allowed it, Harry and Charles had intended to meet up while the Duke was back in the UK. The insider said: “Harry has kept in regular contact with his father on several occasions and made no secret of his desire to see him when he can. He has been especially concerned about him and hopes the King will be well and able to see him as planned.”
The Duke of Sussex is visiting the UK solo, just a day after his son Archie’s sixth birthday, and will reportedly attend the anniversary service marking 10 years of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral without any of the other senior royals.
Equally, sources have claimed that Harry did not reach out to his elder brother William ahead of his visit. “Their relationship remains extremely fractured. Harry has privately expressed a wish to sit down with his brother but now is not the time,” the insider explained.
Harry will meet up with Meghan later in the week when the pair embark on a tour of Nigeria, where they are expected to meet with military staff.
The Invictus Games service at St Paul’s will see actor Damian Lewis recite a poem. Representatives from Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.