Prince Harry is said to be "deeply shocked" and "devastated" by his father, King Charles III's blunt refusal to meet with him during his recent visit to London, according to royal expert and author Tom Quinn. The Duke of Sussex, who was in the UK last week to attend a special event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, had reportedly put in a request to see his father well in advance of his trip, as per royal protocol requiring 28 days' notice.
However, despite rumors of a possible reunion between Harry and Charles, just months after the pair reconciled following the monarch's cancer diagnosis, the Duke was left reeling from what Quinn described as a "painful" public rejection, according to the Mirror. In an unexpected move, Harry's spokesperson released a statement confirming that a meeting with his father would not be possible due to the King's "full program."
"In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full program," the spokesperson shared. "The duke, of course, is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."
Speaking to The Mirror, Quinn explained that Harry was particularly hurt by the public nature of the rejection, stating, "He was deeply shocked at his father's blunt refusal to see him even for a moment. This time the rejection was particularly painful because it was so public - Harry may have issued a statement saying he completely understood why his father didn't have time to see him, but everyone knows the real reason had nothing to do with busy schedules."
During his three-day visit to London, Harry was reportedly forced to stay in a hotel after being refused accommodation at one of the Royal Family's residences. The Times reported that the father-of-two had put in a "request" to see his father well in advance of his visit, as royal protocols require him to give 28 days' notice. However, Buckingham Palace sources claimed that Harry "changed his mind" about staying in one of the royal palaces and did not request to see his father.
King Charles had a packed schedule during Harry's time in London, hosting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his weekly audience and visiting a military barracks, all while being just three miles away from his estranged son. The monarch also hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace, to which Harry was reportedly not invited.
Royal fans were left disappointed by the lack of a meeting between Charles and his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whom he last saw at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Harry traveled to London without his wife, Meghan Markle, or their two children.
The apparent snub has further strained the already tense relationship between Harry and the royal family, which has been fraught with difficulties since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their roles as senior royals in 2020. The couple's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, in which they made several allegations against the royal family, including claims of racism, only served to deepen the rift.
As the fallout from King Charles' refusal to meet with his son continues, it remains unclear whether the father and son will be able to mend their relationship in the near future. The public nature of the rejection has undoubtedly added to the pain and disappointment felt by Harry, who had hoped to use his visit to London as an opportunity to reconnect with his father.
