King Charles III has dealt a significant blow to his younger son, Prince Harry, by failing to make time for a meeting during the Duke of Sussex's recent visit to the United Kingdom, according to former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole. The expert's comments on GB News suggest that the monarch's snub is a clear indication of the deepening divisions between the Sussexes and the British Royal Family.
Prince Harry, who was in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, an annual competition he established for injured servicemen and veterans, revealed on Wednesday that he would not be meeting his father due to the King's busy schedule of engagements elsewhere in the capital. This revelation comes despite the fact that father and son were only a few miles apart during the Duke's three-day visit.
"The fact the King has not found time during the three days that his younger son has been in London to see him is a definite right royal flea in the ear for Prince Harry - and a lot of people around the country and around the world will be saying 'and about time too'," Cole stated on GB News. He went on to highlight the "very, very bitter, very hard, very cruel allegations" made by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, against not only the King and Queen Camilla but also Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton.
Cole emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "That has gone home very firmly. Nothing could actually be worse in a family to have this division and bitterness and unkindness." He also issued a stark warning to the Duke, asserting that "actions have consequences."
Despite recent speculation about a potential royal reconciliation with the Sussexes, Cole believes that the divisions between the California-based couple and the British Royal Family are now "very, very deep," with the differences becoming increasingly stark. He noted that while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reside in their "hilltop Camelot" in California, the British Royal Family is focused on "getting on with the job."
During his time in London, Prince Harry attended several events to commemorate the Invictus Games anniversary, including a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral, where he delivered a speech and a reading. Despite the brutal snub by his father, the Duke appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and waving to crowds.
Cole also touched upon the late Princess Diana's wish for her sons to remain united, recalling that she had made them promise to always love and support each other when they were young boys. "I hope while he's in the city back in London and even flying out to Nigeria, I hope he thinks about what his mother said," Cole added, emphasizing the importance of the brothers' bond.
The expert's comments underscore the growing rift between Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family, which has been exacerbated by the Sussexes' decision to step back from their roles as senior royals and their subsequent interviews and public statements criticizing the monarchy. The King's decision not to meet with his son during this visit is likely to further strain the already tenuous relationship.
