Prince Harry has arrived in the U.K. for a special event but reportedly won’t be seeing his father King Charles III because according to the Duke of Sussex’s spokesperson, it “will not be possible.” This has sparked strong reactions of disappointment among social media users online.
The Duke of Sussex has touched down in his home country to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Aside from the fact that Prince Harry is in the U.K. to commemorate the competition’s inauguration for wounded and ailing veterans which happened 10 years ago, news outlets have also reported that he will not be visiting the King of England.
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program,” announced a spokesperson for Prince Harry.
King Charles III and Prince Harry chatting during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli event in Gallipoli, Turkey on April 25, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
The statement went on to explain, “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.” According to a media outlet, King Charles III has a busy schedule because he recently returned to his public royal duties.
King Charles III and Prince Harry ahead of the Committal Service for the late Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor, England on September 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The public has reacted with shock and outrage to the news that Prince Harry and King Charles III will not see each other during this time, with many people expressing disappointment in the King. “That’s absolutely unforgivable, that a Dad can’t prioritize his son. King or not!!!” chastised a social media user.
King Charles III and Prince Harry attending a memorial service marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Gallipoli on the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey on April 24, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, someone else expressed, “Harry deserves better. Shame on #KingCharles. He treated #PrincessDiana terrible as well. #TheWholeWorldIsWatching.” “Shameful… but Prince Harry can sleep well at night. He has reached out numerous times,” commented another.
King Charles III and Prince Harry having a conversation during the the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games in London, England on September 10, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
Continuing to highlight the tumultuous nature of the late Princess Diana’s relationship with King Charles III, another user noted, “Charles is who Diana said he was 🙃.” Another King Charles III critic called him “petty.”
The late Princess Diana and King Charles III during their Canadian tour in October, 1991. | Source: Getty Images
A Facebooker wrote, “As a parent I can’t imagine not being able to pencil my child into my schedule.” “I can’t imagine anything more important than getting to spend some time with a child that you really don’t see very often,” added another.
King Charles III and Prince Harry during the Invictus Games in London, England on September 11, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
Someone else who felt particularly strongly about the matter stated, “Sadly, his father chooses his position over his family. His father has made it very clear where his love is. If he really wanted to see his son he would and could. This whole situation clearly shows that it is all about him and his ‘control over others.'”
Since working behind the scenes amid his cancer diagnosis and treatment, King Charles III held an audience at Buckingham Palace yesterday, where the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, was welcomed. Further occupying the King’s time is the premiere garden party of the season, which is set to take place at Buckingham Palace today (May 8).
King Charles III and the Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London, England on May 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Like his father, Prince Harry is also booked and busy. His time in the UK has been spent on the Invictus Games’ anniversary, which kicked off with a panel yesterday. Today, St. Paul’s Cathedral will host a service where Prince Harry is expected to give a reading.
Prince Harry during The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation titled “Realising a Global Community” in London, England on May 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Although it has been confirmed that the reason for the father and son not meeting up during Prince Harry’s recent U.K. visit is due to scheduling conflicts, it remains no secret that amid recent times, relationships between British royal family members have been tense. It is public knowledge that Prince Harry and his dad have not necessarily seen eye to eye for some time.
King Charles III and Prince Harry attending a memorial service marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Gallipoli on the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey on April 24, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Even when the Duke of Sussex had flown to London to visit the King after hearing about his cancer diagnosis, Prince Harry and King Charles III’s meeting was reportedly very brief.
Additionally, reports stated that the Prince opted to stay in a lavish hotel as opposed to with his family, which we previously reported on February 8, 2024.
Prince Harry at the NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks in British Columbia, Canada on November 20, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
The King of England’s former butler, Grant Harrold, said that Prince Harry did so as a way to show his family that he could financially support himself without their help. A media outlet revealed that Grant and King Charles III had a working relationship spanning seven years. At the time, the King of England was still the Prince of Wales.
King Charles III and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in London, England on September 10, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
As reported by Grant, Prince Harry opted for the hotel because he wanted to prove that he was “grown up enough to fund himself.” The King’s former butler then went on to say, “It’s strange he’s not staying at any royal residences because obviously, when they were growing up, they had rooms at Clarence House and at Highgrove.”
Prince Harry and King Charles III posing for a picture at home in Kensington Palace on October 4, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Grant expanded on his reasoning by asserting his opinion that Prince Harry’s choice did not make sense security-wise. As a juxtaposition to being covered by royal security before stepping down from his royal role, news sources have stipulated that the Duke of Sussex has been traveling with his own security team.
Prince Harry leaving the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England on March 27, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
On this and the status of Prince Harry’s familial relationships, Grant explained, “Obviously, it’s not the best sign if he’s staying at a hotel, because you’d have thought he’d possibly stay with his brother [Prince William] and sister-in-law [Kate Middleton] potentially, or at one of his father’s homes.”
He went on to note, “If there is an ongoing fallout between him and his brother, it’s possible that he may not have been given the offer to stay.”
Princess Catherine, Prince William, and Prince Harry at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service in London, England on December 14, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Regarding Prince Harry’s visit, a media outlet reported that King Charles III was allegedly displeased as his travel plans were delayed in waiting for his son’s arrival. Apparently, the King had plans to travel to Norfolk for tranquility.
King Charles III on his way to the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on December 25, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Although many speculations surfaced concerning why Prince Harry’s visit with the King was so brief, a British expert named Richard Fitzwilliams set the record straight. He mentioned that because the father-son meet-up happened at a time when King Charles III had started treatment, he may have just been tired, prompting the brevity of the meeting.
