Prince Harry and King Charles will not meet up in person this week, Harry’s rep has revealed as the Duke of Sussex arrives in the UK.
Harry landed in London at lunchtime on Tuesday (May 7) for a number of Invictus Games events.
But news that the father and son will not spend any time together will come as a huge blow for those who hoped the trip could be used as a chance for the pair to reunite.
Prince Harry news: Reunion ‘not possible’
The Duke of Sussex last saw his father back in February, days after his cancer diagnosis. Harry made the trip from the States for a 30-minute face-to-face meeting with his father.
It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
However, his rep has issued a statement blaming the lack of a family reunion on the monarch’s “full programme” while Harry is in the capital.
It read: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.”
The statement added: “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Pierce said on GMB today about the possible reasoning for the meeting not going ahead: “The King does not trust his son. He doesn’t trust him, nor does William and no senior member of the royal family is going to see Harry.
“I’m sad they’re not seeing each other. But I’m afraid, it’s Harry’s fault.”
‘The King does not trust his son’
‘It’s sad on a human level isn’t it’
The King is ‘too busy’ to see Prince Harry during his visit to the UK pic.twitter.com/NewdFNKgiW
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 8, 2024
Duke had hoped to meet the King this week
Harry has flown to the UK for a ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. It’s taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday (May 8).
Wife Meghan Markle hasn’t flown over with him. Instead, it’s thought she has stayed at home in Montecito, California, with their two young children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince William also isn’t set to meet with his brother during his UK visit, it’s been reported.
Last week, The Sun reported that Harry was keen meet with Charles this week. The pair will be just two miles apart at separate events in London on Wednesday.
Harry’s Invictus Games event runs from 4pm to 6pm, it’s reported. Charles, meanwhile, is expected to attend the year’s first garden party at Buckingham Palace. This also finishes around 6pm. But the pair have no plans to meet.
A source claimed: “Harry is normally 5,000 miles away in California but by happy coincidence on Wednesday they will be just two miles apart. It’s clear he is keen to see his father as he continues his recovery and most people expect another reunion of some kind next week.”
Prince William won’t be in the capital
The Prince of Wales, Harry’s elder brother, won’t be reuniting with his brother either. The pair have been warring since Harry and wife Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family. The divide only grew after attacks from Harry in his TV interviews and his book Spare.
The Sun claims William will be away from the capital in the later part of next week. On Friday, he has engagements in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Nigeria trip for Harry and Meghan
Once Harry returns to California, it’s reported that he and wife Meghan will travel to Africa on an Invictus Games trip.
One commentator slammed the Duchess of Sussex for visiting Nigeria and not the UK. Kelvin McKenzie said the decision was akin to a “V sign” to the British people.
Read more: Queen Camilla ‘hugely protective’ of King Charles as cancer treatment continues
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