King Charles may well agree to a meeting with Prince Harry when he is in the UK next week, but the presence of one other senior royal is likely to make him feel more assured.
The Duke of Sussex will be in London on May 8 for a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate ten years of the Invictus Games, where he is set to give a reading.
Royal author Tom Quinn believes Harry will make time to see his father, following their last meeting in February after the Duke learned about the King’s cancer diagnosis.
He told The Mirror: “It’s going to be very difficult for Harry to come to the UK and not visit his stricken father, King Charles”, adding that he thinks they may see each other for longer than last time.
Mr Quinn added: “When the two meet it will almost certainly be a longer meeting than last time when father and son spent just 30 minutes together, but Camilla is likely to be there simply because she feels so protective of her husband and won’t want him to be upset at such a difficult time.
“Also, despite much that has been written, Camilla is exceptionally diplomatic and good at dealing with difficult situations and difficult people. If anyone can steer comfortably through a meeting with Harry, Camilla can – which is why Charles will want her there.”
Mr Quinn suggested that Charles will want to make the effort to see Harry, in spite of his illness, which put him out of action for several weeks.
He explained that the King “won’t want to be seen to be avoiding his son even if the meeting is awkward and difficult.
“Like William, Charles makes a point always to seem generous and magnanimous.
“He is aware that this contrasts well with his often-petulant son; Charles and Harry know that everyone will be watching to see if they meet and neither wants to be the one blamed for rejecting the other.”
This year seems to be the year that relations are softening between Harry and the rest of the Firm, as he spoke about their relationship with Good Morning America.
He said: “Look I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him [King Charles] and spend any time with him I’m grateful for that.”
He continued: “My family and my life in California is as it is. I have got other trips planned. That would take me through the UK or back to the UK, so you know, I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can.”
Meghan Markle however will not be joining her husband in the UK, with one royal expert saying that the Duchess has no desire whatsoever to return to Britain.
Speaking to OK!, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said: “I’m afraid this does seem to be the clearest indication yet that Meghan really doesn’t want to return to the UK.
“I suppose it’s not surprising because there would be a huge amount of doubt about what kind of reception she would get. But it is sad.”
