As tensions rise within the royal family, many experts have speculated about the potential reunion between King Charles and Prince Harry this week. However, both father and son appeared to be preoccupied and unable to find time to connect.
Despite the Duke’s assertion that his father was too engaged with his royal obligations and “various other priorities” to meet him, King Charles reportedly held a meeting with former England captain David Beckham to discuss his charitable foundation while Harry was in London, as reported by the Daily Mail. This revelation appears to deepen the existing divide between father and son.
The Duke of Sussex’s trip to the UK had been planned months ahead, whereas the King’s visit to a barracks this week was described as “surprise”.
Reports suggested that Harry extended an invitation to the King to attend the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Meanwhile, the Palace has not released any statement regarding the monarch not meeting his son Harry during his visit to the UK, despite the Duke expressing that “it was great” to return to his homeland. Harry’s last encounter with his father was in February, during a brief period when the King was diagnosed with cancer.
Meanwhile, the Duke and his wife Meghan Markle were warmly welcomed in Nigeria as they arrived in the African nation for a three-day tour.
King Charles announces meeting with Prince William following Harry’s apparent ‘snub’
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles and Prince William will participate in a joint engagement on Monday.
During this event, the King will formally transfer the role of colonel-in-chief of the Army Corps to his son and heir, Prince William.
Reports indicate that the King has reassigned a military responsibility originally designated for Prince Harry to Prince William, notwithstanding the Duke and Duchess’s service in a regiment in Afghanistan.
Previously, Kensington Palace disclosed the appointment with the following statement, emphasizing that the role would have been bestowed upon Harry if he had not stepped down from his royal responsibilities in January 2020.
“His Majesty the King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”