Prince Harry flew to the UK to see King Charles because he needed something to talk about on TV, insiders have claimed.
Harry – who lives in California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – jetted to Britain last week in a whirlwind trip to see the King.
He visited alone less than 24 hours after Buckingham Palace announced Charles’ cancer diagnosis and spent some 30 to 45 minutes with his father.
The Duke of Sussex told Good Morning America the King’s illness could have a unifying effect on the Royal Family, telling the US programme he loved his family and was grateful to have spent time with Charles.
Insiders have told The Sun Harry was motivated to visit the King as he needed something to talk about for the interview, which was carried out in Canada where competitors marked a year to go until Harry’s Invictus Games
One told The Sun: “Harry would have known he had this interview in the US and would be asked about his father, so needed material.
“The palace was not stupid and knew they had to limit the time he could spend with the King.”
Palace insiders have said the meeting between Harry and the King was a welcome gesture and an optimistic sign after years of feuding between the Sussexes and Windsors.
Royal expert Angela Levin told The Sun Harry’s interview with Good Morning America was “shameless and despicable”.
Ms Levin claimed Harry “whizzed over”, knowing he had to do something on TV, adding: “It’s all totally insincere and to give him publicity.”
Buckingham Palace hasn’t given details about King Charles’s cancer and Harry declined to share any information when asked about his “outlook” on the monarch’s health, replying it would stay between his father and him.
But Harry said he would be visiting his father in the future: “I’ve got other trips planned that would take me through the UK or back to the UK, so I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can.”
There was no meeting between the Duke and his brother Prince William last Tuesday after Harry spent time with Charles at Clarence House.
The breakdown in the bond between the royal brothers can be traced back to the early period of Harry’s relationship with Meghan when his then fiancee had a falling out with the Kate, Princess of Wales, in the run-up to their wedding.
Since stepping down as working royals in 2020 and moving to California the Sussexes have aired allegations and grievances against the monarchy and members of the Royal Family which have also soured relations.
Speaking to Will Reeve in the TV interview, Harry said: “Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
The Duke was asked about his life in America, something he described as “amazing”, and whether he had contemplated becoming a US citizen, with the royal saying he had “considered” it.
Harry added: “The American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but certainly not something that’s a high priority for me right now.”
Asked how he “processed” what was going on with his family in the UK, the royal replied: “I have my own family, as we all do. My family, and my life in California is as it is.”
Meghan and Harry are bringing up Prince Archie, aged four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet in the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California.
The Duke said: “The kids are doing great, the kids are growing like all kids do very, very fast. They’ve both got an incredible sense of humour – make us laugh and keep us grounded every single day, as most kids do. I’m just very grateful to be a dad.”
