King Charles Was “Too Busy” to See Prince Harry During His Recent Visit to the U.K.
Apparently, upon learning Harry was in town and staying nearby, the Prince and Princess of Wales left Windsor for their country home.
While back in the U.K. to appear in court recently, Prince Harry apparently tried to connect with his father, King Charles, but, according to Us Weekly, the monarch was “too busy,” according to royal expert Alexander Larman. (In his defense, for much of the time Harry was in the U.K., Charles was on his first royal tour since becoming King; he traveled to Germany alongside wife Camilla from March 29 to March 31. A planned visit to France in the days prior to March 29 had to be postponed because of protests in the country.)
Harry was in his home country as part of a lawsuit against publishing company Associated Newspapers Limited—which publishes The Daily Mail, Mail Online, and The Mail on Sunday—for an alleged unlawful gathering of information. And, while Larman isn’t sure if Harry plans to attend Charles’ upcoming Coronation on May 6—nor are we, as we reported this morning—Larman says he would be “amazed” if Harry opted to skip the historic event.
“If he [doesn’t] go to the Coronation, he’s essentially saying, ‘I am not going to have any relationship with my family ever again,’” Larman says.
Of Harry’s recent trip across the pond, OK cites royal commentator Shannon Felton Spence as saying “I’m told Charles was never expecting to see Harry. Although he was in the country, Charles was too busy with Germany and the cancellation of his trip to France. The King was scheduled to be in France before Germany. He was not even supposed to be in the U.K. The political situation in France forced an unfortunate cancellation of the King’s visit, which made him unexpectedly in the U.K. for a few extra days.”
OK reports that Charles is “terrified” to have a confrontation with his younger son and Harry’s wife Meghan Markle. “He should be laying down the law after Harry and Meghan’s multiple smears and provocations since they quit royal life in 2020, but he’s chosen to shy away from a bitter battle,” a source says.
“Charles is caught between a rock and a hard place,” the source continues. “If he caves in to the Sussexes, he’ll lose respect of the British people and also members of his own family who no longer trust the couple. If he bans them, they’ll just continue their public treachery and deceit, setting themselves up as victims as they level more attacks on him and the royals.”
The source hinted that Charles may fear Harry since he teased a second no-holds-barred book after the success of Spare, his bestselling memoir that hit shelves in January. “But that’s exactly why he [Charles] should take charge and put an end to the Sussex sideshow once and for all,” the source says.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
For their part, OK reports, the Prince and Princess of Wales made no effort to see Harry while he was in country and staying not far from their Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage. (Harry apparently opted to stay at his and Meghan’s home, Frogmore Cottage, which they are having to move out of by this summer. Frogmore is nearby Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.)
“King Charles and Camilla are too busy, and Prince William and Kate Middleton snubbed him,” a source says. “In fairness, Kate and William may not have been aware that Harry was coming, but they didn’t hang around for long after hearing he had landed at Heathrow Airport. They drove to the countryside with their three children for the Easter holidays.”
The source says that, like William, Kate still “doesn’t trust” Harry. “Their relationship is hanging by a thread, and after everything that’s happened, it’ll take a miracle to fix things,” a source says.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
I Tried Biologique Recherche's Two-Hour Scalp Detox Treatment
Is the French-girl favorite worth the hype?
By Hannah Baxter Published
-
Jennifer Lawrence's Maternity Style Era Is Off to a Must-Shop Start
She knows what she likes—and how to wear it.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'The Lincoln Lawyer' Finale Teased A Game-Changing Cliffhanger—Will There Be a Season 4?
We're on the case of whether or not Mickey Haller and co. are coming back to Netflix.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
During His Royal Tour in Australia, King Charles Reveals One Way He Won't Be Following in Prince Harry's Footsteps
"If I was a younger man."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Camilla Reportedly Broke Royal Protocol With a Fan During Tour of Australia
The moment occurred when King Charles' wife greeted fans outside a church.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Reportedly Purchased Portugal Home to Stay "Connected" to the Royals
A royal expert called the move "extremely significant."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The Australian Public Is Going Wild for King Charles and Queen Camilla Despite Government Snubs
Droves of Australians have waited for hours to get a glimpse of the King and Queen.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Eugenie Is Reportedly in a "Precarious Position" Between Prince Harry and King Charles
"Eugenie is in a difficult spot."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Fans Can’t Get over Prince Harry’s Seriously Impressive Surfing Skills in New Video: “In His Season of Joy”
He's a true Californian now.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Royal Expert Claims Princess Kate is Done "Playing Peacemaker" With King Charles, Prince Harry and Prince William
"She did try over a period of years and finally threw up her hands in disgust."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How Taylor Swift Has Entered the Chat When It Comes to Prince Harry's Security
One royal commentator said there was a "double standard" when it came to police protection in the U.K.
By Kristin Contino Published