King Charles offered Prince Harry a royal residence for last week’s trip to London, but his son reportedly declined the olive branch.
The Duke of Sussex is believed to have opted to stay in a hotel during his three-day visit, the Sunday Times reported.
Friends of King Charles said staying at a royal residence would have made the logistics of a visit for Harry to see his father easier.
But people close to Harry, 39, who flew to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, claim he requested to see his father long before the visit, which was on the agenda for at times.
The Duke of Sussex (pictured) is believed to have opted to stay in a hotel during his three-day visit.
King Charles (pictured) offered Prince Harry a royal residence for last week’s trip to London, but his son reportedly declined the olive branch.
Friends told the newspaper that when Harry wants to travel to the UK he must give 28 days’ notice to both the King, 75, and the Home Office so security can be arranged.
Members of the King’s circle responded that, to their knowledge, Harry did not request to see his father or invite him to attend the service at St Paul’s last Tuesday to celebrate the charity’s anniversary.
The failure of Harry and Charles to meet on the Duke’s rare trip to the UK is said to have baffled the Duke’s camp, particularly as the King, who is recovering from cancer, made time to attend a garden party. from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s all very sad,” a friend of Charles’ told the newspaper. “While it is true that the King is understandably cautious about meeting Harry, given the publicity circus that seems to surround all such visits, he of course agreed to see his son at the most vulnerable moment of his illness (in February). and with very little notice.
Invictus Games Foundation CEO Dominic Reid (left) and Prince Harry at the Honorable Artillery Company in London on May 7.
King Charles held the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace with Queen Camilla by his side on May 8.
Prince Harry pictured meeting Louise Minchin at the Invictus Games event at Armory House on May 7.
“While he was hardly going to roll out the red carpet at the time this trip to Invictus was announced, with doctors advising him to focus on his treatment and recovery, the idea that he refused found space in his diary… well, let’s just say the memory may vary once again.’
A friend of Harry’s told the newspaper: “I can’t imagine that request (from Harry to Charles) has failed.” Even if they hadn’t received a request, which I don’t believe, could Her Majesty not have requested to see her son?
The missed opportunity is believed to have affected the duke, according to a friend who spent time with him in London last week.
‘I’m very surprised. She was fully expecting them to meet. I know that’s what he wanted to happen,” she said.