As Prince Harry prepares to return to the UK next week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, speculation is mounting about the potential for reunions with his father, King Charles, and his older brother, Prince William. According to royal expert Chris Ship, a meeting between Harry and the King is "likely," but a brotherly reunion with William remains "in question."
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to attend a ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on May 8 to mark the milestone anniversary of the Invictus Games, the international sporting event he founded for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. While it is unclear whether any member of the Royal Family will attend the occasion due to their commitments and ongoing health issues, Ship believes the monarch will find time in his schedule to see his youngest son.
"At some point, they're going to find a gap in the King's schedule. When he comes, he will probably see his dad," Ship told Sky News Australia. The ITV news royal editor noted that King Charles had previously delayed other engagements to fit in a brief meeting with Harry, such as when the Duke flew over from California after the King announced his cancer diagnosis.
However, Ship cast doubt on the likelihood of a reunion between Harry and his brother, Prince William, stating, "Of course, the one person Harry didn't see then when he came over was Prince William." The royal expert said that "the big question" was whether Harry would see his brother and sister-in-law, Kate, particularly given the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis and ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatment.
The relationship between the two brothers has been strained in recent years, with Page Six reporting that Harry and William have not spoken for more than a year following the release of the Duke's bombshell memoir, "Spare." "And that tells you everything you need to know about the discord in that relationship between the two brothers," Ship remarked.
Another royal expert, Tom Quinn, suggested that a meeting between Harry and his father could be longer than the one they had back in February, which reportedly lasted just 30 minutes. "It's going to be very difficult for Harry to come to the UK and not visit his stricken father, King Charles," Quinn told The Mirror. He added that Queen Consort Camilla is likely to be present during the meeting, as she is "exceptionally diplomatic and good at dealing with difficult situations and difficult people."
Quinn also noted that King Charles will want to see Harry despite his illness, as he "won't want to be seen to be avoiding his son even if the meeting is awkward and difficult." The royal author emphasized that both Charles and Harry are aware that "everyone will be watching to see if they meet and neither wants to be the one blamed for rejecting the other."
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, will not be accompanying her husband on his UK trip. Ship confirmed the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, "Additional confirmation this morning that Meghan will not be joining Harry for the Invictus Anniversary service at @StPaulsLondon in London. But the Duchess of Sussex will join the Duke for an Invictus-inspired visit to Nigeria immediately after Harry leaves the UK."
The couple's visit to Nigeria, scheduled for May, will include talks on the Invictus Games, as well as cultural activities and meetings with service members and their families. The Nigerian Defence Headquarters confirmed that the Sussexes would tour the African nation, with their itinerary said to include visits to military rehabilitation centers and sports facilities, as well as meetings with local organizations working to support veterans' welfare.
