Since it was announced that Prince Harry would grace the nation with his presence at an Invictus Games service on Wednesday at St Paul’s Cathedral, it has been assumed that he would use the trip as a chance to catch up, however fleetingly, with his father. .
They got half an hour in each other’s company in February, the day after King Charles revealed he had cancer.
By all indications, it was not the warmest meeting, but it had been thought that, given that both men would be in central London on Wednesday afternoon (Charles hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace, Harry right at the end from the street in the City), a cordial cup of tea might at least be on the cards.
But there have been no public overtures from Harry or anyone in his circle to suggest plans for the couple to reunite.
Although both royals were in central London on Wednesday afternoon, they are not expected to meet.
The King’s agenda, in any case, is packed that day with a meeting with the Prime Minister in the afternoon. And so, unless things change in the next 48 hours, father and son will pass like ships in the night.
If so, it would be truly extraordinary if you stop and think about it. The idea that the King, who despite his illness has already returned to as many royal duties as he can, cannot reach his youngest son who lives 5,000 miles away would, in my opinion, be the clearest indication we have had . Until now I didn’t know how broken Harry’s relationship with his father is.
When a serious illness strikes a family, there is often a human tendency to put aside old feuds and disagreements. People often gather together and the severity of the situation acts as a focus and a reminder that, in the end, blood is thicker than water.
Many thought – and hoped – that this would be the case for Royalty; that, in the face of a worrying illness, the months of open hostility between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and her people at home could be put to an end and everyone could do everything possible to bring Harry, if not Meghan, back into the fold .
At least, perhaps, a chance for Charles to arrange to see his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, who seem to be growing up uprooted in a Californian bubble, separated from their wider family.
Rather, what we have seen has been quite the opposite.
Just a few weeks ago, the Duke and Duchess were “demoted” on the official royal website.
The full profiles were replaced by a significantly smaller joint biography at the bottom of the page, below (horror of horrors) the Duke of York.
Additionally, Harry, again with Prince Andrew, is no longer on the list of those who can serve as State Councilors, replacing the King in official ceremonies.
Talk about tough love.
I have no doubt that the King has a deep affection for Harry. Like his father, he always will be. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be angry at him for the terrible things he’s said and done, not only to Charles himself and Queen Camilla, but also to William and his wife Catherine.
And let’s not forget the anguish and sadness Harry caused the late Queen and Prince Philip, and how he and Meghan ruined their final years with their attention-seeking hysterias and vile accusations.
If Charles does not meet with Harry next week, perhaps it is an indication that his illness, rather than softening his attitude, may have had the opposite effect regarding his stubborn son.
Could he have hardened his view of someone who, despite still being his son, has inflicted nothing but misery and suffering in recent years on those who truly care about him, who have been by his side in his time of trouble? need, mainly the Queen? Camilla and the Princess of Wales.
And could you really blame him? Why should such disloyal behavior be rewarded with kindness, patience and forgiveness, when Prince Harry himself has never shown any towards them?
Why should I be able to return to all of their lives whenever I want (possibly with a TV documentary film crew in tow), no matter how much damage I’ve caused?
He may be 39 years old, but in many ways Prince Harry is still a child, a spoiled, entitled brat who can’t see beyond his own navel.
It’s time someone taught him that he can’t do everything his way. It’s time for him to learn that actions have consequences.
It’s time for you to see what happens when you repeatedly betray those who love you. It is time for you to understand that trust is hard earned but easily lost.
What better person to do that than his own father? I hope Charles stands his ground and passes up the opportunity to see Harry on Wednesday. After all, a parent’s job is to do what’s right, not what’s easy.
- A new city councilor incites his rivals: ‘Anyone who supports Zionism: we’re coming for you.’ Free Palestine!’ A Green Party councilor in Leeds shouts “Allahu Akbar” as his supporter waves a Palestinian flag. This is not politics, it is sectarianism.
- After the horrific murder of a 14-year-old boy in Hainault last week in an incident during which a policewoman nearly lost a hand, what are we waiting for? All officers should be armed with Tasers. Otherwise, expecting them to stem the wave of knife crime is equivalent to asking the crew of the Titanic to leave using a teaspoon.
Be fabulous, Joanna.
Joanna Lumley as her absolutely fabulous character, Patsy
Joanna Lumley will announce the results of the British judges during next Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest. Please, Joanna, do it in the style of your Absolutely Fabulous character, Patsy. ‘Douze points, darlings. Open the Bolly! Lord knows we could use more Patsy in these gray times.
- Madonna is testing Groucho Marx’s theory that “you’re only as old as the woman you feel.” I have great respect for the singer, especially for being fit enough to act like a woman half her 65 years. But there is no reality that hides it: she is old enough to be the grandmother of most of her dancers. It’s all a bit creepy. Or do I mean crepey?
- When I think of Boris Johnson, many things come to mind, but not a coiled mamba, as described by his allies who say he is ready to re-enter the political fray. Mambas are sinuous and stealthy creatures. Boris is as sinuous and stealthy as a beach ball. Still, if he can help the Conservatives recover, who cares. We will all be doing the parliamentary mambo.
A stage version of Fawlty Towers opened in London’s West End last night.
John Cleese claims he only took on production to earn enough to never “fly commercially” again. Given the state of Theatreland, that seems a bit ambitious.
Still, if you strip the show of all the original anti-German jokes and uncomplimentary asides about Irish builders and Spanish waiters, there is
John Cleese, who played Basil Fawlty, claims he only took the production to earn enough to never “fly commercial” again.
As the general election (and last suggestion, as I have been told, is July), public officials preparing for a transfer of power. “We’re not yet at the point of euthanasia,” says a veteran Mandarin, “but the patient is definitely receiving palliative care.”