Prince Harry was reportedly ‘deeply stung’ by King Charles’s ‘snub’ during his short trip to Britain, his friends have revealed.
Speculation was mounting that a reunion would take place between the 39-year-old Duke of Sussex and his cancer-stricken father during his three-day stay in London this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
People close to Harry say the prince submitted a request to see his father well before he was due to make the 5,000-mile journey from his home in California, with the visit “long on the radar.”
But despite Harry and the 75-year-old monarch being just miles apart at times, the Duke was told his father was ‘too busy’ to see him during his rare and short trip.
Sources in the duke’s camp say he had informed his father of his intention to see him during the trip. However, those within the king’s inner circle insist that Harry was given no advance notice.
Prince Harry was ‘deeply stung’ by King Charles ‘disapproved’ during his short trip to Britain, his friends claim (Harry pictured during the Invictus Games chat on Tuesday)
Sources in the duke’s camp say he had informed his father of his intention to see him during the trip. However, those within King Charles’ circles insist no notice was given
In comments reported by The times, sources close to Harry said a request to see his father had been made well before the visit.
Under royal protocols, the duke must give the king and the Home Office a 28-day warning to request security.
He also reportedly asked to stay at a royal residence during his short trip – before changing his mind and opting for a hotel.
But although the king reportedly signed off on Harry’s request to stay at a royal residence, the visit never went ahead – and sources say that regardless of the request, the duke did not attempt to see his father.
A spokesman for the duke claimed Charles was too busy to see his son, saying on Tuesday: ‘Unfortunately this will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full schedule.
‘The Duke obviously understands his father’s diary commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’
Sources close to Harry said they were stunned that the king had not seen his son and that the missed opportunity had “deeply stung” the estranged duke.
A friend who spent time with Harry this week told The Times: ‘I’m really surprised. I fully expected them to meet. I know that’s what he wanted and I don’t know when he’ll come back.”
Harry was just a few miles away from Charles when he flew to London for the Invictus Games event
King Charles III is pictured with papers in his hand as he arrives at Clarence House in London on Tuesday, while Harry is expected to fly in
Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, and Prince Harry at the Honorable Artillery Company in London
Prince Harry pictured meeting Louise Minchin at the Invictus Games event at Armory House on May 7
Harry and Meghan have been in Nigeria this week (pictured) following the Duke’s brief visit to London
It was the first time Harry had been to Britain since his transatlantic trip in February to see his father following the shock announcement of his cancer diagnosis.
The king had a busy schedule while his son was in town, including the Buckingham Palace portion and his regular weekly audience with Rishi Sunak on the same day as the Invictus Thanksgiving event and a visit to a military barracks on Thursday.
But royal sources claim no request was ever received from Harry’s camp to see his father.
They also say no invitation was extended to the monarch to attend the Invictus ceremony just miles from Buckingham Palace, where a garden party was held the same day, despite reports to the contrary.
One said: ‘While he [Charles] was hardly planning to roll out the red carpet at the time this Invictus trip was announced, with doctors advising him to focus on his treatment and recovery, the idea that he refused to find space in his diary… well yes, let’s say the memories can differ again.’
A friend of Harry’s, meanwhile, fired back: ‘Even if they hadn’t received a request, which I don’t believe, couldn’t His Majesty have made a request to see his son? It was common knowledge that he was coming.”
Another added: ‘I fully expected them to meet. I know he wanted that to happen and I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment when contacted by the newspaper.
After rushing to Britain to see Charles in February following his diagnosis, Harry expressed hope for more regular meetings with his family in interviews with US media.
Royal watchers were almost certain the pair would meet this week; the news that there would be no meeting surprised many.
Expert Richard Palmer told MailOnline earlier this week: ‘It is surprising if the King and Harry don’t meet at all and perhaps a sign of how many bridges remain to be built.
‘There has been a lot of speculation in the media that father and son would meet. Although that always seemed like guesswork, I had suspected that they would also meet.’
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, gave up their access to a royal residence when they stepped down from their roles in 2020.
The couple had previously called Frogmore Cottage in Windsor home. Harry now says his permanent residence is in the United States.
The Mirror has suggested that there are rooms at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle available for Harry if he wants to use them.
After the brief visit to Britain, Harry flew to Nigeria to reunite with Meghan in the country for three days to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
During the royal tour, the couple attended a lunch with the country’s defense minister and Meghan reflected on her Nigerian heritage as she called the nation “my country.”