Prince Harry Did Not Meet with King Charles or Prince William During His U.K. Visit

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is back in London, but it doesn’t appear that he will be attending any family get-togethers.

The California-based Duke is back in the UK to attend the 2024 WellChild Awards, a charity that is dear to his heart.

He is here, but he doesn’t intend to meet with Prince William or his father, King Charles, which highlights the continued division in the Royal family.

Harry has been a committed supporter of WellChild for 16 years, during which time the organization has helped seriously sick children and their families. Though his poor familial relationships continue to attract public attention, the awards presentation remains a key event on his calendar.

Family Rift Persists

This is not the first time Prince Harry has refrained from meeting his father or brother while visiting the U.K.

Sources indicate that during a previous trip in May, when he attended a service marking the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, Harry extended invitations to both King Charles and Prince William, but those efforts were ignored.

According to PEOPLE, Harry’s calls and letters to his father remain unanswered, and his attempts to contact his brother through messages and calls also go unheeded.

The family’s relationship has been strained since 2020 when Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their Royal roles.

One key point of contention is Harry’s ongoing legal battle over his security arrangements. According to several insiders, this issue remains a major sticking point for the Duke of Sussex.

Security Battle Continues

Prince Harry has been embroiled in a legal fight for his personal security, a struggle that has persisted for over four years.

A central issue in this tension is Harry’s ongoing legal battle over security concerns. After stepping down as a senior royal, Harry lost access to the round-the-clock security that comes with royal status.

Sources close to him claim that resolving this matter is critical for Harry. He believes King Charles has the power to reinstate his security, though Buckingham Palace has maintained that such a notion is incorrect.

The Duke of Sussex’s spokesperson attributed the lack of interaction between him and the King in May to the monarch’s busy schedule, but reports suggest there may be deeper reasons for their ongoing estrangement.

Despite this, Harry remains determined to pursue his security battle, which he views as critical to his safety and that of his family.

Missed Opportunities For Reconciliation

Harry’s attempts to reach out to his brother, Prince William, have been met with silence. Despite being in proximity on several occasions, including during the memorial service for their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, in August, the two brothers reportedly did not engage.

While Prince Harry made an effort to pay his respects, sources state that the brothers kept their distance, each spending time with different groups of their maternal cousins.

The memorial service held just two days before the anniversary of their mother Princess Diana’s death highlighted the ongoing rift. While attendees were reportedly surprised and pleased to see Prince Harry, no public interaction took place between the two brothers.

Despite attending events close to each other, Prince Harry and Prince William have continued to miss opportunities to reconcile.

Both brothers were in New York City in late September for separate engagements during Climate Week, yet they did not meet. Royal insiders say the rift between the two remains “very bad,” though it is not considered irreparable.

There was also a previous trip in May when Prince Harry attended an anniversary event commemorating the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary. Despite extending invitations to both King Charles and Prince William during that visit, no meeting occurred.

Harry’s Commitments and Future Plans

Being a patron of the organization for more than 16 years, Prince Harry has a lengthy relationship with the WellChild Awards, and he always looks forward to the event. The honorees’ bravery and tenacity, as well as those of their caretakers, are recognized by these prizes.

Harry may have just had a short stay in London, but he is anticipated to leave for Lesotho soon after the event to work with his charity, Sentebale.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, where they are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, are King Charles and Queen Camilla. Reconciliation doesn’t seem likely given the scheduling difficulty and underlying conflicts that still exist.

Looking Forward

While Harry’s relationship with his father and brother remains fraught, some royal insiders remain hopeful.

Royal expert Hugo Vickers expressed a cautious optimism, noting that as Harry continues to visit the U.K., there may be future opportunities for reconciliation. “If the king wishes to see him, he will arrange to see him. If he doesn’t wish to see him, he’ll be too busy. Simple as that,” Vickers told The Sun.

For now, however, the public remains uncertain whether these family ties will mend. As Harry continues to navigate his public and personal battles, his role in the royal family remains distant, with no immediate signs of a reunion.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Prince Harry right now. Come back here often for all Prince Harry spoilers, news, and updates.

Editorial credit: Sean Aidan Calderbank / Shutterstock.com