Prince Harry and King Charles are both expected to find themselves in London today, but it is not yet known whether father and son plan to meet. While the 76-year-old monarch has no engagements in the diary this week, he is expected to fly back to the capital for his weekly cancer treatment and audience with the Prime Minister later today – though as of this morning, he remains at the Scottish residence.
The Duke of Sussex, meanwhile, has two visits in the diary, with a three-hour gap between the two making it possible for the pair to meet. However, both sides, who met for a so-called peace summit in the summer, are maintaining radio silence on the prospect of a meeting. The Palace has long adopted the position of not commenting on the private relationship between father and son, and the Sussex camp is following suit. But the mood music yesterday was one of scepticism – with insiders suggesting that a private chat between the King and Harry was unlikely.
Harry has been vocal about his quest for reconcilation and it is understood he is prepared to tweak his diary to see the King – if he gives the green light.
In May he told the BBC: “I would love a reconciliation with my family,” he said. “I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff… but it would be nice to reconcile.”
But the bombshell remarks alluding to his father’s health, who has continued to undertake a punishing schedule of engagements at home and abroad despite his ongoing cancer treatment, did not go down well at the Palace and reignited issues of trust.
Trust is the major barrier to a meeting, as the King and the Palace do not want anything said in confidence to appear in a TV interview or be leaked to the press.
Time is running out for the pair to meet this week, and the intense speculation over a royal reunion has dominated the agenda.
Harry’s visit this week has been about reaffirming his links and commitment to the UK. It’s the first step in winning over the court of public opinion and overcoming the divide with his family.
We can expect him to return to homesoil on a more regular basis in the future, so if father and son don’t meet today or tomorrow, there will be more opportunities to come.