Prince Harry was forced to admit his father was too busy to see him after he flew to the UK yesterday.
After weeks of speculation about a meeting, his spokesman stiffly announced that a meeting “will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full schedule.”
Harry tried to put on a brave face about the situation, saying that he understood his father’s position and that he “hopes to see him soon.” But the news will have been a blow to the prince, who told US television in February that he hoped Charles’ illness could “reunite” the Royal Family.
His spokesperson said: “In response to many inquiries and continued speculation as to whether or not the Duke will meet his father while in the UK this week, unfortunately this will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full schedule.” Of course, the Duke understands his father’s diary of engagements and other priorities and hopes to see him soon.
Some interpreted the use of the words “miscellaneous other priorities” as a thinly veiled attack on King Charles, who prioritized his work over his relationship.
Prince Harry at the Honorable London Artillery Company
King Charles III leaves Windsor Castle as he heads to Clarence House
But if that was the case, the palace did not react. In fact, royal advisers have repeatedly refused to comment on anything to do with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for fear of triggering another war of words across the Atlantic.
However, just hours after Harry’s statement, palace officials happily announced a new joint engagement for Charles and his eldest son William.
It is one of dozens of official engagements being planned for the 75-year-old monarch in the coming months after his doctors gave him the all-clear to do more public work once again as he continues his cancer treatment.
While Harry was just three miles away (or a 25-minute drive) on an engagement in east London yesterday, Charles met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji at Buckingham Palace, before retiring to Clarence House.
Today he returns to meetings at Buckingham Palace in the morning before attending the first party of the season in the royal garden in the afternoon, followed by his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a meeting of the Privy Council until well late at night.
Tomorrow he is expected at an unannounced engagement outside London. Harry is not believed to have been encouraged to make a statement himself because there is little communication between the palace and its people.
Prince Harry on stage at an Invictus Games event
But it certainly became clear that continued speculation about family relationships would continue to overshadow the work he has come here to do.
The 39-year-old prince, who remains fifth in line to the throne despite having abandoned his royal duties and the United Kingdom, is in London for several days for engagements centered on the Paralympic-style Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 for injured service personnel. .
Yesterday he attended an event to commemorate the legacy of the games and today he will give a reading at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the event. Media close to the Sussexes had suggested that he also “fervently” wanted to see his father while he was here.
Harry has traveled alone, apart from his personal security guards, after stating that he does not feel safe bringing his family to the UK amid an ongoing row with the Home Office following its decision to strip him of his permanent protection from the Metropolitan Police when he left Britain.
He managed to fly into the country unobserved and his arrival came to light only when pro-Sussex media were informed that he was attending a private roundtable discussion with television presenter Louise Minchin at the Honorable Artillery Company.
Sources said he had further sessions in the afternoon, including a meeting with business chief Sir Keith Mills, former chairman of Invictus Games, followed by a private dinner.
It has not been confirmed whether he arrived on a regular commercial flight or private jet from his home in California, or even where he is staying.
However, it is not believed to be in a royal residence. Harry has no official home in the country after he was asked to leave Frogmore, his and Meghan’s home in Windsor.
It is understood that during his occasional visits he stayed in hotels or with friends.
He reportedly plans to stay in the UK until tomorrow before flying to Nigeria, where he will join his wife for a quasi-royal tour, apparently to also highlight the Invictus Games.
There are no plans for him to reunite with his estranged brother, Prince William, who is focusing on his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is receiving preventive cancer chemotherapy and recovering from serious abdominal surgery in January. William is also due to take up an investiture today and tomorrow he will fly to Cornwall for further official engagements.
Harry had not seen his father in person for 17 months before insisting he would fly to London in February after news of his cancer diagnosis was publicly announced.
The king, who had been in London and was receiving treatment for his undisclosed form of cancer, was about to leave to recover at Sandringham and was only able to see him for about half an hour.
Charles’ decision to focus on his health and work was predicted by the Mail in November when it was revealed that while the subject of Harry causes him “great pain”, he is determined to put it aside, for now. .
It is understood there is still widespread family anger over the distress many believe Harry caused the late Queen in her final years, not to mention the insults heaped on family members including the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla.
It was also revealed that Charles was determined to stand his ground and reject his son’s demand for an apology for the way he believes he and Meghan were treated.