On Tuesday, May 7, 2024 Prince Harry landed in London, England to attend a church service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. However, his arrival was met with news that his father, King Charles III, had refused a proposed meeting citing a “full program,” further highlighting the existing tension within the royal household.
Prince Harry’s representative made a statement to the press, saying, “There have been numerous questions and continuous conjecture regarding whether the Duke will meet his father during his visit to the UK this week. Regrettably, due to His Majesty’s packed program, this will not be feasible.” The representative also indicated that Harry comprehends his father’s busy schedule and other commitments and looks forward to seeing him soon.
While King Charles held the inaugural garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace, Harry participated in a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday. This service celebrated the tenth year of his Invictus Games initiative. King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla and other high-ranking royals, entertained guests at the garden party. However, Harry was joined only by his uncle, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, at his event. This disparity in attendance underlines the widening gap within the royal family.
A former courtier with close ties to Buckingham Palace told the media that the king’s decision was appropriate, saying, “Reconciliation between father and son is indeed vital, but any meeting with Harry would have completely overshadowed Charles’ return to work this week, which his office rightly sees as the main story.” The courtier also noted that Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, wanted to focus on hosting the garden party for over 5,000 guests without being overshadowed in the press.
In an interview with Marca, royal expert Robert Jobson provided further insight into King Charles’ choice to not meet his younger son. 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.” He also noted that Harry’s presence could have overshadowed Charles’ return to public life after his diagnosis.
Jobson pointed to Harry’s critical remarks about Queen Camilla in his memoir Spare, where he accused her of “sacrificing” him for positive media attention and leaving “bodies on the street” to ascend to the throne. These comments, according to Jobson, added complexity to Charles’ decision to meet Harry. A friend of the king and queen commented, “The king has made it clear that he wants to be reconciled with his son,” but Harry’s “outrageous comments about Camilla had put his father in a very awkward position.”
Even though Prince Harry is still deemed an essential member of the royal family, the hostility between him and its senior members is clear. Neither King Charles nor Prince William attended the Invictus Games service, although they were reportedly invited. Prince Harry’s spokesperson reiterated that he is understanding of his father’s busy schedule and remains hopeful for a reconciliation.
The strained relationship between the king and his son is also apparent from sources who claim Prince Harry’s public statement about not meeting his father was “childish” and further damaged their trust. According to insiders, King Charles perceived Prince Harry’s attack on the royal family and Queen Camilla as “rude, undignified, and childish,” making the royal family wary about future meetings.
During his visit to London, Prince Harry made several comments praising the success of the Invictus Games, attributing them as “a major part of my growth and learning.” Despite the family tensions, he remains dedicated to his mission. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife, joined him for the next 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.
The unresolved tension between Prince Harry and the royal family leaves questions about the possibility of future reconciliation.