According to a royal expert, Prince Harry is anticipated to have a brief and formal encounter with King Charles during his upcoming visit to the UK later this spring.
Harry's expected itinerary includes delivering a speech at the 10th-anniversary service of the Invictus Games, scheduled at St. Paul's Cathedral on May 8th. Although his trip has not been officially confirmed yet, Harry is listed as a guest on the official program, with plans to address the service.
Royal author Tom Quinn has provided insights, suggesting that the Duke will likely engage in a meeting with his father, who reportedly holds a more lenient stance towards him compared to his elder brother, Prince William. Quinn shared with the Mirror that it may not be as challenging for Harry to see his father, although their relationship is also marked by pain and a sense of grievance. However, Charles acknowledges Harry's difficult childhood, for which he partly takes responsibility, thus exhibiting a more forgiving attitude compared to William.
The author added that the meeting would be kept brief, fearing that Harry might disclose any details to the public. He remarked, "The meeting between Harry and his father, King Charles, will be short and informal, simply because any difficult conversations could risk being widely broadcast when Harry returns to the States."
Similar to his relationship with William, Harry's relationship with his father has been strained by the publicized interviews of him and Meghan. Both William and Charles are cautious about expressing anything privately to Harry, fearing he might make it public. Harry had a brief meeting with his father last February when he rushed back home following Charles's cancer diagnosis announcement. They met for less than an hour at Clarence House in London before Charles was seen boarding a helicopter to Sandringham.
While the sentiments of the King remain undisclosed, his actions reflect a significant distance. He has withdrawn Harry's privileges, including Frogmore Cottage, ceased his financial support, relegated him to several rows back at public events, and limited their interactions to brief periods lasting around 20 to 30 minutes.
Amidst the media speculation, it becomes evident that Harry and Meghan's ties with the royal family are irreparably severed. The decisions of the King echo a deliberate distancing, reminiscent of historical precedents such as the removal of Wallace and Edward. The preservation of the monarchy takes precedence above all else, and King Charles is astute enough to recognize Harry's tarnished reputation in the UK, especially after recent incidents involving his supporters' actions against Catherine. It is safe to assume that a majority of Britons will rally behind William, safeguarding him and his family. Hence, Harry should refrain from returning to the UK and allow a genuine hero to lead the Invictus initiative.
Given Harry's recent setbacks, including a legal defeat and the unraveling of his various endeavors coupled with his dwindling finances, King Charles cannot afford to risk a meeting with him. Harry's apparent desperation to reconnect with Britain and the royal family hints at his underlying motive to secure a royal role and financial assistance. If denied, his feelings of betrayal and desperation may drive him to launch further attacks, further destabilizing the monarchy.
