Will Harry get to see his busy father, King Charles, when he visits the UK?
- Harry reportedly ‘really wants’ to see his father when he goes to London
- However, sources say that no meeting has been planned yet where the two could meet
When Prince Harry visits Britain this week, he will attend an event just two miles from his ailing father.
But it remained unclear last night whether the duke will meet the king, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer.
Yesterday it was reported that Harry was ‘very keen’ to see his father when he goes to London on Wednesday for a ceremony to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral.
However, sources say no meeting has yet been scheduled in the Monarch’s diary on what is already a busy day for the 75-year-old.
The King normally has his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesdays, and insiders say there are ‘no plans to deviate from that’.
When Prince Harry visits Britain this week he will attend an event just two miles from his ailing father, but it is unclear whether the pair will meet
It was reported yesterday that Harry was ‘very keen’ to see his father when he goes to London on Wednesday for a ceremony to mark ten years of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral.
He will also attend the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year, the afternoon before that meeting.
The king only returned to his public duties last week after his cancer diagnosis in February.
His assignments are managed on a case-by-case basis and “remain subject to the advice of physicians,” a Palace spokesperson said.
Harry has not seen his father since he made a 10,000-mile round trip from his home in California when news of the King’s cancer was announced.
The 39-year-old then spent around 30 minutes at Clarence House before the king returned to Sandringham.
It is expected that Harry will not be accompanied by Meghan when he flies to Britain this week.
Nor is he expected to see his brother, Prince William, apparently irreparably damaged by claims Harry made in his memoir, Spare, and various media appearances.
William, 41, has not spoken to his brother since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
Kensington Palace has not commented on a possible meeting this week. It is understood William will be in Windsor for an investiture on Wednesday, with engagements in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Thursday and Friday.
The king usually has his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesdays, and insiders say there are ‘no plans to deviate from that’.
Harry is not expected to see his brother, Prince William, with their relationship apparently damaged beyond repair
After his whistling tour to visit his father in February, Harry told US television show Good Morning America that he hoped his father’s illness could help ‘reunite’ the royal family.
He said he loved his family and was grateful to be able to visit his father. He added: ‘Any illness brings the family together.’
When the king’s cancer first came to light, Harry reportedly said he would be willing to return to a “temporary royal role” to support his father during his illness, but Palace sources dismissed the suggestion.
However, sources have previously told the Mail that the king would never ‘close the door’ on his youngest son and believed their relationship could be repaired in time.
Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in early 2020 and settled in Montecito with son Archie, who turns five tomorrow, and daughter Lilibet, two.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes declined to comment last night.