King Charles’ timing caught attention yesterday after he dealt Prince Harry two punches in a matter of hours.
Last night, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his father would attend a joint engagement next week, where the heir will be appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
Before Prince Harry’s decision to step away from royal life four years ago, it was always thought that he would take on the role that would see him take charge of the regiment with which he toured in Afghanistan until 2014.
The announcement that the King would hand over the role he held for 31 years to his eldest son came just two hours after he said he was too busy to see his youngest son.
“Timing is everything,” said one royal, while another said the monarch’s decision not to see the Duke of Sussex during his visit to the UK – despite being only three miles away – ” will be widely perceived as a snub.”
The Duke of Sussex flew to London from California yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games, but due to the King’s busy schedule he was unable to meet his father.
Harry’s spokesperson confirmed that it was “unfortunately not possible” for the couple to reunite “due to Her Majesty’s full schedule” as he returns to public duties after undergoing cancer treatment.
After much speculation about whether the Duke would visit his father, whom he last saw in February following his shocking diagnosis, Harry’s spokesperson confirmed there was no time for a meeting.
King Charles’ moment caught attention yesterday after he dealt Prince Harry two punches in a matter of hours. Pictured: Prince Harry and King Charles before the Queen’s funeral in September 2022
Last night, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his father would attend a joint engagement next week at which the heir will be appointed colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps. Pictured: Charles and Prince William in 2023
It is also understood that Prince Harry will not visit Prince William and his wife Kate, who is receiving cancer treatment. In the photo: The brothers together in 2022
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation as to whether or not the Duke will meet his father while in the UK this week, sadly it will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full schedule,” he said.
“The Duke, of course, understands his father’s diary of engagements and other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Harry had been at the Honorable Artillery Company in London and appeared on stage during a discussion called Realizing Global Community.
His father was at Clarence House before holding an audience at nearby Buckingham Palace with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Instead of catching up with his estranged father, the duke enjoyed dinner with city financier Guy Monson last night.
“This, whatever the logistics, will be widely perceived as a snub,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline.
‘This is one of the most public disagreements in the world. If it were dealt with privately, without so much speculation in the press, it would have a better chance of being resolved.’
Echoing the same sentiment, former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole added: “It’s quite a snub. For the King not to see his youngest son, Prince Harry, even though the two men will be just two miles away.” tomorrow afternoon, gives an indication of the depth of the division.
Prince Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, on stage during a debate titled ‘Realizing a Global Community’ at the Honorable Artillery Company in London yesterday.
King Charles III is pictured holding papers as he arrives at Clarence House in London yesterday.
Harry was three miles away from Charles at the Invictus Games discussion in London today.
The prodigal son is not welcome… at least not for the moment. In real terms, this is great medicine. Prince Harry will surely see it for what it is, the clearest possible indication of the pain that has been caused.
‘There can be no mistake: this is a royal flea in the ear for the fifth in line to the throne. Actions have consequences, but they are rarely played out as starkly as here.
“Even Prince Harry, who was never the sharpest sword in the Royal Cavalry, will surely have got the message and many people will say: ‘It’s about time too.’
Just two hours after the revelation that Charles and Harry would not be meeting at Buckingham Palace, Prince William’s new role was announced.
A statement read: “At the Army Aviation Center in Middle Wallop, His Majesty The King will officially hand over the position of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
‘In August 2023, following His Majesty’s accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments, including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
“The position was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”
Instead, the Duke of Sussex went to dinner with Guy Monson, who attended the 2021 unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana at Kensington Palace (pictured left, at the unveiling).
Prince Harry will give a reading at a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral, marking a decade since the inaugural competition in London in 2014. Pictured: Harry, William and Charles at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games ten years ago.
Harry is not expected to see his brother Prince William, who will be out of the capital on Thursday and Friday, or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton, whose cancer treatment continues. Pictured: Kate and Harry at the Heads Together event on February 5, 2017.
Harry arrived alone in London yesterday and is expected to join the Duchess on a tour to Nigeria later this week and Meghan will fly there alone from the US. Pictured: The couple at a polo game last month .
During the ceremony, Prince William will receive a briefing from Colonel Commander Lieutenant General Sir Nicholar Borton before watching a training session.
William, who flew for the Air Ambulance, will also take to the skies, controlling the Apache during a flight.
Today, Prince Harry will give a reading at a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral, marking a decade since the inaugural competition in London in 2014.
Organizers had said there was no confirmation whether other royals would attend, or whether Harry’s wife Meghan Markle or their children Archie and Lilibet would also be in the UK.
But Harry arrived alone in London today and is expected to join the duchess on a tour to Nigeria later this week and Meghan will fly there alone from the US.
And Harry is not expected to see his brother Prince William, who will be out of the capital on Thursday and Friday, or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton, whose cancer treatment continues after she revealed the diagnosis in March.