Prince Harry's relationship with the Royal Family is in tatters as Prince William move compounds breakdown - analysis by Svar Nanan-Sen

Prince Harry flew from the US to London for the solo trip this week.

PA
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 08/05/2024

- 12:44

Updated: 08/05/2024

- 12:46

The Prince of Wales will be made Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps next week

Prince Harry's relationship with the senior members of the Royal Family looks to be in tatters after King Charles declined to see his son this week.

The Duke of Sussex arrived in the UK on Tuesday ahead of his appearance at St Paul's Cathedral this evening.


Harry flew from the US to London for the solo trip as his wife Meghan Markle and their two young children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet stayed in Montecito.

The King's youngest son was expected to see his father during the trip.

Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex arrived in the UK on Tuesday ahead of his appearance at St Paul's Cathedral this evening.

Getty

King Charles and Harry last saw each other in February when the Duke of Sussex jetted from the US to London following the monarch's cancer diagnosis.

Prince Harry spent 45 minutes with the King at Clarence House during the trip before flying back to California the next day.

The Duke of Sussex did not see Prince William or the Princess of Wales during his February visit to the UK and his relationship with the royal couple remains frosty.

Kate and William have distanced themselves from Harry since the publication of his autobiography 'Spare' in January 2023 which contained several scathing attacks on senior members of the Royal Family.

Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex did not see Prince William or the Princess of Wales during his February visit to the UK.

Getty

King Charles was hurt by his son's heavy criticism of his wife Queen Camilla in the book.

Prince Harry's statement on Tuesday confirming that he would not meet with King Charles clearly attributed the decision to the monarch.

A spokesperson for Harry 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."

Just hours after Prince Harry landed in the UK, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William will be made Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps next week.

Prince William

Prince William will be made Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps next week.

PA

The King appointed the Prince of Wales to the role in August 2023 but yesterday it was confirmed that the ceremony marking this will take place on Monday, May 13.

Harry was formerly attached to the regiment for his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014.

The timing of the announcement which coincided with the Duke of Sussex's arrival in the UK has raised eyebrows.

The relationship between Prince Harry and the most senior members of the Royal Family appears to have deteriorated, and this will be illustrated further tonight when the duke gives a reading in St Paul's Cathedral to an audience that will not contain a working member of the monarchy.

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