After witnessing the news of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, Prince Harry hastily changed his flight plans to return home to Meghan Markle sooner. Originally scheduled to fly with British Airways, Harry opted for a Delta flight due to a 2-hour delay in the BA flight. Reports suggest Harry’s swift departure followed a brief visit to London to see his ailing father, King Charles. The Duke of Sussex, who had a short encounter with his brother Prince William but not at all with his father, left his father’s residence around 2:00 p.m. local time to catch his flight back to Los Angeles. Meghan Markle was seen smiling as she waited for Harry to return home, indicating her support during this challenging time.
Royal expert Jenny Bond highlighted Harry’s visit as emblematic of the deepening divide within the royal family, suggesting that William’s apparent disownment of Harry signifies a rift. Despite hopes for reconciliation sparked by Harry’s visit, the Duke and his father did not meet, underscoring the strained relationship between the siblings. Charles’ public appearance following his cancer diagnosis, coupled with William’s return to royal duties, signals a commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities despite personal challenges.
Prince William’s return to public duties coincides with the appointment of a former government diplomat as his private secretary, marking a step towards re-establishing normalcy within the royal household amidst King Charles’ health concerns. Additionally, William and Kate’s decision to create a new position of chief executive reflects their proactive approach to managing palace affairs amidst ongoing changes in staff and the royal family’s evolving dynamics.