King Charles has not had a calm moment since taking the throne in September 2022. Besides receiving a diagnosis in January early 2024 and the long, demanding preparation for the coronation last year, a lot of time has gone to handling the emotions surrounding his son, Prince Harry.
The Duke has been lashing out at his royal family for years, and while King Charles reportedly wants to reunite with him despite their differences, it also includes other people. He has barely seen his beloved grandchildren, Prince Arhcie and Princess Lilibet, and he’s said to be devastated about it.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, recently visited Nigeria on a three-day tour to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded. However, the trip reportedly left King Charles and Harry’s brother, Prince William, furious. Now, the king could make a drastic decision: strip Harry of all titles because of what he did during the Nigeria visit.
The relationship between Prince William, King Charles, and Prince Harry has been at a low point for years, and they reportedly only speak to each other if necessary.
Shortly after King Charles’ diagnosis was made public, Prince Harry traveled to the UK to be at his father’s side. Some reports also suggested that he could return to royal duty if everything felt right; however, if William decides that, it is out of the question.
In February, William and his father met at Sandringham, where a source told the Mirror that there is “no chance” the future king would allow Harry to ever return to royal life.
“Whatever has been discussed between William and the King is private, but it is absolutely and categorically clear that he (William) would not allow Harry to return. He thought it was a bad idea at the time and he’s even more clear now,” the source said.
When Prince Harry returned to the UK to briefly see his father, the royal expert stated that William had “got used to Harry being rude, unkind, and attacking his wife.”
Meanwhile, it’s well-known that Harry had issues with Camilla as a teenager. In his book Spare, he portrayed her as an alienating figure within the royal family. He also gave her quite the cruel nickname, the “other woman.”
Camilla was said to have been hurt by Harry’s words. But as her husband is now facing a difficult time with cancer treatments, and Harry briefly returned, she won’t back down.
According to a National Enquirer source, as per the Mirror, Harry left Camilla “outraged” and even asked him to leave.
“Camilla has taken it all on the chin, but using her husband’s disease as a ‘loving son’ PR stunt was the last straw. After the father-son reunion, I hear she told Harry he’s a disgrace to his father, the family, and the monarchy – and she left no doubt he isn’t wanted back,” the source said.
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Even though Harry’s relationship with his royal family is at a low point, the family will always be family. King Charles hasn’t seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for a long time, and the Sussexes don’t plan to visit soon.
King Charles’ “poor relationship” with Harry has damaged relationship with Archie and Lilibet
According to royal expert Angela Levin, no matter what happens between Charles and Harry, the king misses his grandchildren and dearly wants to see them.
In his book OUR KING: Charles III: The Man and the Monarch, royal author Robert Jobson describes Charles’s anguish over Archie and Lilibet, who are sixth and seventh in the line of succession.
Jobson writes that Archie and Lilbet are “always in Charles’ heart,” though the rift between Harry & Meghan and the royals has made things challenging.
“Unfortunately, due to the poor relationship with his second son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, Charles has spent hardly any quality time with his other grandchildren, Archie and his sister, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor,” Jobson wrote in his book.
“But those close to him say they are always in his heart. It is one of the reasons he finds the estrangement from his second son so difficult to cope with.”
Charles has yet to visit Archie and Lilibet in the US, and so it’s been quite a while since he had a chance to meet them.
In the fall of last year, there were reports that Charles and Harry were planning peace talks. However, other reports suggested that there was “no chance” Harry would meet with William for ‘peace talks,’ as the future king refuses to see his younger brother.
Sadly, nothing materialized. Though Harry and his family were said to have been invited to Charles’s 75th birthday in November, they decided not to attend.
Royal expert and author Angela Levin told The Sun: “Charles would want Harry and Meghan’s children there. If Harry and Meghan want to make an excuse, that’s their decision. If Harry wants to go to get an apology, then he can get lost.”
Though Harry has repeatedly lashed out at his family via his and Meghan’s Oprah interview, their Netflix series, and Harry’s book, Spare, family will always be family.
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While Prince Harry hasn’t been back in the UK on too many occasions in the last few years, on May 10, the Duke attended a special service at St Paul’s to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a competition in which wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans, compete for their country.
As Prince Harry returned to the UK briefly, many believed it was an opportunity for him to sit down with the royals, discuss their differences, and, in some way, make amends.
Harry and his brother, Prince William, haven’t spoken in months, and because of that, it’s easy to assume that the same goes for Kate Middleton (despite the “get-well” messages she received from the Sussexes after her surgery and her diagnosis).
Prince Harry reportedly has been “very keen” to speak more to his father, especially after he received his diagnosis. However, during his brief UK return, he and his father didn’t meet at all.
According to a royal expert, this left King Charles upset. Reports suggest that the monarch “was aware” that Harry was in the UK and even offered him a stay at one of the royal residences. However, the Duke was said to have rejected his father’s favor and instead decided to stay at a hotel in Mayfair “without protection.”
Harry’s decision didn’t do well with Charles, who felt his son had “blindsided” him.
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“When Prince Harry turned down his father’s offer to stay at a royal residence during his three-day trip to London in May, it was a surprise to the royal household. The King was aware Harry had no UK base. He could not fail to be aware Harry was unduly anxious about security,” royal expert Ingrid Seward told the Mirror.
In an interview with Fox News, royal broadcaster Helena Chard further discussed Harry’s decision.
“He could have stayed at St. James’ Palace, a stone’s throw away from Clarence House, where the King is usually based. Harry turned down staying in a palace, where he would have received armed security protection from the SO14 Royalty Protection Group. He chose to stay at a hotel in Mayfair without this protection,” Chard said.
