King Charles’s decision not to see Prince Harry while he is in the UK has “denied” the estranged royal a “photo opportunity” as one royal author claimed Buckingham Palace “saw through” his attempt for positive PR.
It had been expected that the Duke of Sussex would see his father during his trip to London as Harry attended the Invictus Games 10th anniversary service at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday.
However on Tuesday a spokesperson confirmed that this would not be possible due to the King’s busy schedule as the first Buckingham Palace garden party was also held on Wednesday.
Royal author Tom Bower explained on GB News that Harry is soon going to Nigeria for a visit with his wife Meghan Markle, and claimed that a photo with the King would have been good for the visit.
He said: “The King and his advisors have seen this for what it really is. It’s all about boosting the brand which is suffering terribly.”
Mr Bower continued: “The key is, Harry was desperate for a photo opportunity for the King so he could get to Nigeria and say ‘I come here as a member of the Royal Family’.
“The King has denied him of that, and rightly so.”
When asked by host Nigel Farage if this was a sign of His Majesty “toughening up”, the author replied that the King “realises he is on a losing card” with his son and daughter-in-law.
He said: “He is finally seeing they are exploiting the misery in London. They are putting William and Kate in a terrible light.
“The Sussexes have stepped in to embarrass the King. Rightly Buckingham Palace decided ‘we’re not going to play their game’ on this occasion.”
Harry was joined for the service in central London yesterday by members of the family from his mother Princess Diana’s side, as well as a close family friend who acted as a “supportive big brother” after Diana’s death.
Sone of the guests included Diana’s siblings Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer, and former army officer Mark Dyer, who has acted as the Duke’s mentor.
