Harry is forced to admit King Charles is too busy with 'various other ... trends now
Prince Harry was forced to admit his father was too busy to see him after he flew into the UK yesterday.
After weeks of speculation about a reunion, his spokesman announced stiffly that a meeting 'will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme'.
Harry tried to put a brave face on the situation, saying he understood his father's position and 'hopes to see him soon'. But the news will have come as a crushing blow to the prince, who told US television in February he hoped Charles's illness could 'reunify' the Royal Family.
His spokesman said: 'In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme. The duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.'
Some interpreted the use of the words 'various other priorities' as a thinly-veiled attack on King Charles as prioritising his work over their relationship.
Prince Harry at the Honourable Artillery Company in London
King Charles III leaving Windsor Castle as he heads to Clarence House
But if it was, the palace did not react. Indeed, royal aides have repeatedly declined to comment on anything to do with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for fearing of triggering yet another war of words across the Atlantic.
However, just hours after Harry's statement, palace officials blithely announced a new joint engagement for Charles and his eldest son William.
It is one of dozens of official engagements being planned for the 75-year-old monarch in the coming months after his doctors gave him the all-clear to undertake more public work once again while continuing his cancer treatment.
While Harry was just three miles – or a 25-minute drive away – on an engagement in east London yesterday, Charles met the prime minister of the Republic of Fiji at Buckingham Palace, before retiring to Clarence House.
Today he again has meetings at Buckingham Palace in the morning before attending the first royal garden party of the season in the afternoon, followed by his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a Privy Council meeting well into the evening.
Tomorrow he is expected at an as-yet unannounced engagement outside London. It is not believed that Harry was encouraged to put out a statement himself because there is little in the way of communications between the palace and his people.
Prince Harry onstage at an Invictus Games event
But it no doubt became clear the continued speculation about family
