Buckingham Palace has revealed a joint engagement between the King and Prince William scheduled for next week, following news that Charles won’t be meeting his other son, Harry, during the Duke’s UK visit.
The absence of a meeting between Prince Harry and King Charles has been viewed by experts as a significant development, underscoring the depth of their strained relationship. Despite Harry’s hopes to connect with his estranged father during his visit for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London, the clash in their schedules has thwarted their plans.
In light of this, the Palace has confirmed that King Charles will meet with Prince William on Monday to transfer the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to him. This ceremonial event, to take place at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, marks a transition that was initially announced in August 2023 following the King’s accession to the throne.
While Prince Harry arrived in the UK today for the Invictus Games ceremony, his attempts to reconcile with his father have been stymied by the King’s busy schedule. Responding to queries about a potential meeting between Harry and Charles, a spokesperson for Harry stated, “it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.”
Instead of meeting his father, Harry will engage with city financier Guy Monson, as confirmed by his foundation Archewell. Monson, who was present alongside Harry and William during the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue in 2021, is a trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation and has been involved in supporting the event since its inception.
Despite speculation about a possible reconciliation between father and son, the absence of a meeting between King Charles and Prince Harry suggests that significant hurdles still exist in repairing their relationship. Meanwhile, Prince William and other senior members of the Royal Family are not expected to attend the Invictus Games ceremony.
As Harry continues his visit, the intricacies of royal dynamics and personal relationships remain under close scrutiny, with each development shedding light on the complexities within the royal household.
