Prince Harry has ‘emotional’ reunion with King Charles
Prince Harry has been reunited with his father as the King begins cancer treatment but there are said to be no plans for the Duke of Sussex to meet with his estranged brother, Prince William.
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Prince Harry has had an emotional reunion with King Charles at Clarence House, the first time he has spent any time with his father since the Queen’s funeral in September 2022.
The US-based prince landed at London’s Heathrow Airport at 1pm (12am AEDT) after catching a flight from Los Angeles. He was slightly delayed due to California’s current severe weather.
Prince Harry’s car was seen being driven from the airport accompanied by two police cars, suggesting he may have been given police protection for the visit, which had been a point of contention for the Duke around his visits to the UK.
He was seen being driven into Clarence House shortly before 3pm (2am AEDT) local time.
The father and son, whose relationship was strained after the release of Prince Harry’s controversial memoir Spare, were said to have spent less than an hour together before the King left Clarence House and flew to Sandringham by helicopter.
Harry has arrived in UK to see King Charles diagnosed with cancer. #princeharry#KingCharles#Cancer#ClarenceHousepic.twitter.com/sUHeASL9is
— Royal Meg (@RoyalMegnews) February 6, 2024
The Duke’s transatlantic dash had raised hopes his return to Britain will be used to heal wounds with the King as well as soften the anger between the brothers.
But Palace sources have said there are no plans for a meeting between the royal brothers.
“We do not comment on private matters or private meetings between royals,” a Palace spokesman said.
It was the Duke’s first trip to the UK since June, when had appeared in court as part of his claim against Mirror Group Newspapers. He had also travelled to be present for the King’s coronation the previous month.
His visit is the first time Harry and the King have properly spoken to each other in person since Queen’s Elizabeth funeral in September 2022.
Meghan Markle and the couple’s children, Archie and Lilibet, remained at home in California.
King Charles had spoken to his son over the phone in a “sympathetic” phone conversation informing him of the cancer diagnosis, which was discovered when he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Given Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were evicted from their Windsor home – Frogmore Cottage – after moving to the US permanently in 2020, the Duke of Sussex must formally apply to stay with the royals on “protected property”.
When the prince returned to the UK to attend the Well Child charity awards night around the first anniversary of his grandmother the Queen’s death last September, he stayed in a hotel.
It is understood he could be put up on the crown estate when possible – but the palace must be given enough warning before a visit.
Prince Harry did not see his father during his September visit to the UK because of a reported “diary clash”, but royal watchers are hoping the King’s diagnosis will bring about a thawing of relations between the estranged family.
“Harry is upset to have learned that his father has cancer when they spoke on the phone and told the King he will come home to be with him as he undergoes treatment this week,” said royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
“It’s at times like this that the Firm pulls together, cancer and illness in general is a leveller and when illness strikes it’s time for forgiveness and togetherness and one hopes this news has brought the King and his son close again after years of fighting with the king making jokes about Harry after his tell-all autobiography revealed royal secrets.”
“There have been all sorts of schisms in the royal family since Harry wrote [his memoir, Spare] but things are taking a turn for the better between the king and Harry and it will give Charles a tremendous boost to see his son,” added the Sun’s royal photographer Arthur Edwards.
“I saw the King and Camilla at the weekend going to church at Sandringham and they were all smiles and waves, they must be getting good news from the doctors.
“The King will be king for a few more years yet. I wish him well.”
Princess Beatrice was seen leaving Clarence House on Tuesday local time after visiting her uncle.
Her sister Princess Eugenie, who gave birth to her second son last year, currently lives in Frogmore Cottage with her husband and children.
It was announced on Monday evening that while in hospital for an operation on his prostate, medics spotted a second issue “of concern” for the monarch, which has since been confirmed to be cancerous.
But it is believed the King’s cancer was caught early.
King Charles began a schedule of regular treatments and postponed front line duties on doctors’ advice.
Palace aides said His Majesty was looking forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Prince William will also return to public engagements on Wednesday after cancelling his diary to care for Kate and their children when she underwent abdominal surgery last month.
The Princess of Wales is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline duties until after Easter in April, sources say.
Other Royals, including the Queen are expected to carry on with a full program of duties.
Originally published as Prince Harry has ‘emotional’ reunion with King Charles
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