Prince Harry is said to be "heartbroken and worried he'll never see his father again" after King Charles failed to make time for a meeting during the Duke of Sussex's recent visit to the United Kingdom. The 39-year-old prince was in London for two days to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, but despite being just a few kilometers away from his father, the King's packed schedule prevented a reunion.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry addressed the speculation surrounding a potential meeting, stating, "In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty's full program. The duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."
However, the public statement did little to conceal the strained relationship between the father and son. According to royal expert Tom Quinn, Prince Harry found his father's snub "painful" and was "deeply shocked at his father's blunt refusal to see him even for a moment." Quinn added, "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."
The failed meeting has also raised concerns about the impact of King Charles' ongoing cancer battle on the already fractured relationship. A source claimed, "Harry is heartbroken and worried he'll never see his father again." The King's health has not served as a catalyst for reconciliation, as many had hoped, but instead seems to have further widened the rift between them.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold expressed his surprise at the lack of a meeting, stating, "I don't know why they didn't meet. To me, it seemed odd because obviously, you would have thought that when a family member is in a country, you would make sure you've made a point of going to make appointments with them." Harrold acknowledged the King's busy schedule but noted that the situation is "a sign of how much things have deteriorated and shows you the relationship between them has obviously decreased further."
The snub extended beyond King Charles, as Prince Harry had also invited his brother, Prince William, and other family members to attend the Invictus Games anniversary event at St. Paul's Cathedral. However, no one from the royal family showed up, further highlighting the deep divide within the family.
Richard Eden, a writer for the Daily Mail, reported that a source close to King Charles revealed the monarch declined the meeting to avoid "the drama" surrounding his son. "He doesn't need the drama in his life," the source allegedly said. "Harry and Meghan have brought him, and the rest of the family, nothing but worries over the past few years."
Eden suggested that the estrangement between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family is unlikely to be mended until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle apologize for their various criticisms of the monarchy. The couple's decision to step back from their roles as senior royals and their subsequent interviews and projects have further strained their relationship with the royal family.
