Prince Harry landed in London, England on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, to attend a church service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. However, his arrival in the UK was overshadowed by the news that his father, King Charles III, had declined to meet with him due to a packed schedule, escalating the evident strains within the royal family.
Prince Harry’s spokesperson issued a statement, saying, “There has been a lot of speculation about whether the Duke will meet with his father during his time in the UK. Unfortunately, due to His Majesty’s full program, this will not be possible.” The spokesperson added, “The Duke fully understands his father’s busy schedule and other commitments and hopes to see him soon.”
Prince Harry’s visit included a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday to celebrate a decade of his Invictus Games initiative. Concurrently, King Charles was hosting the inaugural garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace. The king, accompanied by Queen Camilla and other senior royals, entertained guests while Prince Harry was supported at his service by his uncle, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer. The lack of royal family members at the prince’s event underscored the tangible disunity.
A former courtier with close Buckingham Palace ties shared with the media that King Charles made the right call by choosing not to meet with his son. The courtier noted that any meeting with Prince Harry would have overshadowed King Charles’ return to work, which his office perceives as the primary story. The courtier also praised the king’s bravery in hosting the garden party for over 5,000 guests while undergoing cancer treatment.
Royal expert Robert Jobson provided more insight into King Charles’ decision during an interview with Marca. He stated, “People believe that if Harry comes to town, a reconciliation will happen. But there’s been a lot of water under the bridge and a significant betrayal of trust. Rebuilding that takes time, and I don’t think we’re close to that point yet.” Jobson also mentioned that Prince Harry’s presence could have detracted from the king’s return to public duties after his health issues.
Jobson pointed to Prince Harry’s critical statements about Queen Camilla in his memoir, “Spare,” where he accused her of “sacrificing” him for positive media coverage and leaving “bodies on the street” to become queen. These remarks have complicated King Charles’ decision to meet his son. A friend of the king and queen said, “The king has made it clear that he wants to be reconciled with his son,” but Harry’s comments about Camilla had put his father in a difficult position.”
Despite the tension, Prince Harry is still seen as a crucial part of the royal family. His father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, were notably absent from the Invictus Games service, though reports suggest they had been invited. Prince Harry’s spokesperson reiterated that he comprehends his father’s busy schedule and remains optimistic about reconciliation.
Further evidence of the strained relationship between the king and his son came from sources claiming Prince Harry’s public statement about not meeting his father was “childish” and further damaged their trust. These sources disclosed that King Charles felt his son’s comments about the royal family and Queen Camilla were “undignified, and childish,” making the royals wary about future interactions.
During his trip, Prince Harry made several comments celebrating the success of the Invictus Games, which he sees as “a major part of my growth and learning.” Despite the family discord, he remains committed to his mission. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife, joined him for the second part of his trip, where they visited Nigeria as part of their work for the Invictus Games and on behalf of the Chief of Defense Staff.
There remains uncertainty about the potential for reconciliation between Prince Harry and the royal family. His spokesperson’s diplomatic tone underscored that he hopes to meet with his father soon. Until then, he will continue to advance the values and mission of the Invictus Games, underscoring the power of resilience and service.
