King Charles health update: Harry and the monarch spoke about bombshell book Spare
One of the most divisive topics in the royal family was discussed during Prince Harry’s brief meeting with King Charles after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis, it’s been revealed.
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When King Charles and his youngest son met properly for the first time in a year at Clarence House, the prospect of a rapprochement between them opened up.
The brief 30-minute reunion at the King’s London residence came apparently at the Prince Harry’s insistence after Charles called him personally to say “I’ve got cancer.”
But while the Duke of Sussex’s gesture to see his father was genuine and warmly received, it is understood the father and son spoke about Harry’s controversial biography, Spare, which shamelessly lifted the lid on the royals’ private lives.
The book which accused the king of being “emotionally cold” and not hugging Harry when delivering news his mother Diana had died, which attacked Queen Camilla as the “wicked stepmother,” which detailed a fight with William, the Prince of Wales – who Harry accused of “knocking me to the floor” in a confrontation in London in 2019 – and which highlighted the feud between the sisters-in-law Catherine, the Princess of Wales and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who accuse each other of making them cry, was discussed.
The last time Harry, 39, came to the UK was five months ago, when he attended a WellChild awards event, but was not believed to have spent any time with his father or brother and stayed in at a London hotel.
The last time he came face-to-face with the King was during the Coronation last May, although he made a quick exit to the US to celebrate his son Archie’s fourth birthday.
“There has certainly been a thawing in the relationship between the King and Harry, Harry flying in from LA to see his father was a genuine intention on his part to see him, cancer changes everything,” said royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam.
“I hear they spoke about the book Spare, it was important to address it, as it caused so much hurt, but the most important thing at this time is family togetherness and unity.
“The door has now opened for the King and Harry to work on their relationship, it’s a start, but it’s going to be a long road.
“You must remember the Duke has lost his mother Diana and felt it was important to see his father while he begins treatment for cancer.
“The King was undoubtedly happy to see his son, their meeting was emotional, but the meeting was short because the King had a schedule and Harry’s flight from the states was delayed getting to the UK because of inclement weather.
“Harry did not hang around and left the next day because he knows the chances of a reconciliation with his brother William are slimmer than with his father.”
It is understood the King has been turning to his faith since his diagnosis for cancer found while he was undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate.
On Sunday he was seen attending church service for the first time since his treatment in hospital at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
As he recovers from treatment for cancer at his Norfolk residence with Queen Camilla, the King is said to have attended church on several occasions for some more quiet prayer time.
“He is a deeply religious man and turns to church for solace, he is a champion of different religions, and now is a time he has been seeking God,” added Mr Fitzwilliams.
With Harry now in Montecito in California with his wife the Duchess of Sussex and their two children, he is back at work amid reports he has hired a new CEO for his winter Invictus Games. He plans to visit its host country Canada next week with the aim of striking a deal to televise the games.
Scott Moore is replacing the Duke of Sussex’s friend and former aide Nick Booth, who took over short term last year when two bosses were sacked.
Mr Moore’s appointment emerged after Harry travelled 11 hours see his father on Wednesday.
The king is to return to face-to-face meetings after postponing work, from February 21.
HARRY CAUSED ‘DISQUIET’ OVER DASH TO SEE KING
Prince Harry caused “disquiet” by “taking it upon himself” to fly from the US to London with no invitation at such short notice, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex made a transatlantic dash on earlier this week to be by King Charles’ side following his shock cancer diagnosis – even if it was for a brief 30-minute meet.
According to The Sun, friends and family of the King say her remains positive as he undergoes treatment for an unspecified cancer.
King Charles is currently taking time off from royal duties after further tests during his recent hospital stay for an enlarged prostate detected the disease.
The King returned to Clarence House, in London, before flying over to Sandringham, in Norfolk, where he will commence treatment as an outpatient.
During his one-night stay at Clarence House Prince Harry jetted in to visit him after 16 months without face-to-face contact.
But royal expert Robert Jobson said while the King was “touched” by the gesture, Prince Harry was “not invited” to travel the 9000 kilometres.
“I am told that the reality is both more complex and more troubling – that Harry caused some disquiet by ‘taking it upon himself’ to fly over unbidden and at such short notice,” he said.
“Put bluntly, the King was unhappy about what amounted to a fait accompli served up by an emotional but well-meaning son.
“Charles just needs peace and quiet right now and had planned to fly off to the tranquillity of Norfolk with his wife, the Queen, much earlier on Tuesday.
“Yet thanks to Harry’s intervention, their Majesties were left kicking their heels at Clarence House, their main London home, while they waited for the errant younger son to appear.”
Harry did not spend the night on the royal estate and is thought to have stayed in a hotel instead.
In 2022, King Charles ordered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their home in Windsor.
The Sussexes now reportedly need a “formal invitation” to be able to stay with the royals on “protected property”.
PRINCESS ANNE RECEIVES WORDS OF SUPPORT
Princess Anne received messages of support for King Charles and the Princess of Wales while visiting a pony centre in London.
The expert equestrian was celebrating the 35th anniversary of Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in west London.
“We wish you and your family well at this time,” said Sister Mary Joy Langdon, founder and chief executive of the centre.
The Princess Royal nodded and smiled in response to the words.
The King’s sister is the latest member of the royal family to receive the support of the public in person after Prince William appeared at an event in support of London’s Air Ambulance and thanked wellwishers who had sent messages for King Charles and his wife, Princess Catherine.
CHARLES ISSUES FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT
Earlier, King Charles issued his first public statement since his cancer diagnosis, congratulating Grenada on its “resilience” as the nation marks 50 years of independence.
In his missive, the King said he was sorry he could not “be with you in person” to celebrate but conveyed his “congratulations and warmest good wishes” to the Caribbean island.
The message to Grenada read: “Over these past five decades, I have watched with the deepest admiration as you have built your nation and forged Grenada’s distinct place in the world, and as an essential member of our Commonwealth family.
“Together, you have established Grenada as an exemplar of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
He continued: “Together, you have risen to the most critical challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss by offering the world an example of leadership, resilience and innovation.
“Together, you have given life to the words of your national anthem: ‘Aspire, build, advance!’”
Recalling past royal visits to the country, which he toured with Queen Camilla in March 2019, he continued: “My wife and I hold such special memories of our visit to your beautiful ‘Spice Island’ five years ago, and of the warm and touching welcome you extended to us.
“Then, as whenever I have met Grenadians anywhere in the world, I was struck by your resilience, the strength of your community and by your shared determination to make a positive difference.
“In this Grenadian spirit you can take the greatest pride. Whether through the remarkable contributions of Grenada’s artists, musicians and authors, or the triumphs of your athletes, all of whom have enjoyed such extraordinary success, ‘473 to the World’ is an inspiration to us all.
“I can only say how sorry I am that I cannot be with you in person to mark this momentous milestone, and to enjoy a little Oil Down with you all.
“My thoughts are with everyone across Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, and all those in the Grenadian diaspora, ‘one people, one family,’ as you celebrate everything you have achieved and all that your future holds. My family join me in sending our heartfelt congratulations to you all.”
PALACE’S BIG MOVE AMID HEALTH FEARS
Buckingham Palace has clarified a misunderstanding that King Charles’ cancer diagnosis was forcing him to make major changes to his duties as monarch.
It had been reported that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would hold his weekly audience with the King by phone after his diagnosis.
“We are not going to get into the habit of commenting on the PM’s conversations with the King, but we have agreed with the Palace in this specific instance to confirm that they will be speaking on the phone later,” Mr Sunak’s spokesman said.
The comments led many to believe the weekly audience would now take place over the phone, rather than in person, while King Charles underwent treatment.
However, Buckingham Palace moved to clarify what would be discussed by phone
While a call between the PM and King had occurred, it was to check on King Charles’ wellbeing.
The King is said to have spoken with Mr Sunak on Wednesday night, local time, when they both agreed to resume their weekly meetings in person from February 21, subject to the monarch’s health.
Having received his first treatment for cancer on Monday, the King is recuperating at Sandringham in Norfolk, from where he is working on his red boxes and keeping in contact with senior aides.
Earlier, Mr Sunak, Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer and SNP Stephen Flynn all extended well wishes to the King during their addresses at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday local time.
The PM wished the King a “speedy recovery”, saying he remained in the “thoughts of the House and the country.”
Mr Sunak said: “We look forward to him resuming his public-facing duties in due course”.
His words were mirrored by Sir Keir, the Labour leader, who said: “I join with the Prime Minister in sending His Majesty The King our very best wishes for his treatment.”
Mr Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said: “I also send my best wishes to King Charles in what will hopefully be a quick and full recovery.”
It comes as royal insiders said Prince Harry’s visit with his ailing father was “warmly received” by Buckingham Palace.
The estranged royal spent 30 minutes with his father at Clarence House after flying in from the US.
The Duke of Sussex did not meet with his estranged brother, however, and flew back to his California home after just 24 hours in the UK.
Meanwhile, the “hardest working royal”, Princess Anne, has ploughed on with public engagements as she visited a Royal Navy team on Wednesday local time.
The Princess Royal, who is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Logistic Corps, was pictured smiling during her visit to the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Regiment at St Georges Barracks in Bicester.
In the wake of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, the royal family has offered its support to a leading cancer charity Macmillan.
Buckingham Palace has partnered with Macmillian, giving it the green light to use the King’s own health scare to encourage others to ask for support.
In a post published on X, formerly Twitter, and retweeted by Buckingham Palace with a green heart emoji, Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We hope that by sharing his diagnosis so publicly, His Majesty The King will encourage others to reach out for support if they are concerned about cancer.
“If you have any potential signs or symptoms you’re worried about, speak to your GP to get them checked.
“We offer specialist, confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. Visit our website, or call our Support Line on 0808 808 00 00. If you need to talk, we’ll listen.”
The post tagged the royal family’s own Twitter handle, suggesting that it had been made with their approval.
Originally published as King Charles health update: Harry and the monarch spoke about bombshell book Spare
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