Prince Harry in London for Invictus Games Anniversary, No Meeting with King Charles Scheduled
Prince Harry returned to London on Wednesday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games, aimed at supporting wounded military veterans. Despite his visit, there were no plans for a meeting with his estranged father, King Charles III.
Each trip Harry makes to the UK since relocating to the United States in 2020 sparks speculation about a possible reconciliation with his family. While a potential end to years of discord seemed plausible in February when Harry briefly visited his father after Charles announced his cancer diagnosis, no such meetings were on the agenda this time.
A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex mentioned that a meeting this week would not be possible due to King Charles’s full schedule. Despite understanding his father’s commitments, Harry hopes for a future meeting.
Although King Charles’s schedule has been less busy in recent months due to his cancer treatment, he has resumed public engagements. On Tuesday, he met Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Buckingham Palace, while Harry attended an Invictus Games discussion in London.
The lack of a meeting, even briefly, was interpreted by some as a snub, especially alongside the announcement that Charles would appoint Prince William as colonel-in-chief of Harry’s former regiment.
Prince Harry’s relationship with his brother William has also strained. William is scheduled to visit Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and no meeting between the brothers is planned.
Since marrying Meghan Markle and stepping back from royal duties, Prince Harry has faced criticism from the British media. Piers Morgan, a prominent critic, described Charles’s decision not to meet Harry as a “big regal middle finger” to his younger son, citing the perceived turmoil Harry and Meghan have brought to the royal family.
Despite the strained family dynamics, Prince Harry remains committed to his charitable work, including the Invictus Games.