Inside Charles’s 30 minute reunion with Harry after King delayed helicopter to Sandringham so he could welcome his son
Details of King Charles’ first meeting with Prince Harry in 16 months after he flew 8,000km after his dad’s cancer diagnosis, have been revealed.
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King Charles spent 30 minutes with estranged son Harry on Tuesday, their first meeting in 16 months.
The Duke flew over 8,000km from the US to London after his dad’s cancer diagnosis, reports The Sun.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, landed at Heathrow at lunchtime following a ten-and-a-half hour overnight flight.
He was whisked to London while Charles, 75, delayed a helicopter flight to Sandringham so they could hold their first meeting in 16 months.
The King was said to be “doing very well” and “entirely his normal self”.
A friend who saw His Majesty said: “If you didn’t know there was anything wrong with him you wouldn’t know.”
Another Palace source said the King was “on his usual good form”, and “just a little frustrated that his condition has affected not just his own plans but impacted on others”.
William, 41, did not join his dad and warring brother.
Sources said the Prince of Wales had “no plans” to see Harry during his whistlestop UK visit.
In an unusual move, Charles kept his helicopter waiting so he could personally welcome Harry at his London home Clarence House.
Sources said the King made a “significant” decision to delay his travel plans after his son’s gesture to fly across the Atlantic at short notice.
Their meeting was thought to have lasted little more than half an hour, with Harry and his entourage leaving Clarence House around 45 minutes after arriving.
It was the first time he and Charles had met in private since Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, though they have been in telephone contact.
Charles looked happy with the reunion as he was pictured for the first time since the Palace announced his cancer diagnosis on Monday.
He smiled next to Camilla in the back of the State Bentley as they waved to crowds on the short trip between Clarence House and Buckingham Palace.
The King and Queen eventually took their helicopter from the Palace gardens an hour later than planned.
Palace sources say he will divide time in his country residences and return to London for meetings, business and outpatient treatment for his cancer.
An insider said: “Charles always keeps a tight schedule and had a planned itinerary to leave London to rest and recuperate in Norfolk.
“He is very fastidious about timekeeping but it was significant that he delayed the flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting.”
The insider added: “After all, the Duke of Sussex had flown all the way from California at short notice and he accepted the gesture. There is cause for optimism.”
The Sun understands there are no plans for Harry to spend time with the King at Sandringham.
Last night Harry did not stay in any Palace and may have booked into a luxury London hotel.
He has had no UK base since the Sussexes’ eviction from Frogmore Cottage last summer.
Harry is not expected to spend long in the UK and will return to the Montecito home he shares with wife Meghan and children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.
He had made it known that he wanted to visit his father this week after the King phoned him with news of the shock diagnosis.
On Monday evening US time, the Duke of Sussex was pictured leaving Los Angeles airport, with his flight landing at Heathrow at 12.30pm.
‘Cause of optimism’
A convoy of four vehicles took him to London while Charles and Camilla, 76, prepared to leave for Sandringham.
It is believed royal protection officers were part of the team that escorted the Duke, who is no longer a working royal.
He has claimed it is unfair and illegal to remove his armed police protection when he visits the UK and is suing the Home Office.
As his convoy headed to London, courtiers had started to prepare for the King and Queen’s exit to Sandringham.
The State Bentley arrived at Clarence House at 1.20pm to collect the King and Queen.
But by then Harry had barely left Heathrow, 24km away.
It meant the original plan for the senior royals to leave earlier were put back to allow Harry’s convoy to arrive in time.
At 2pm police outriders also entered Clarence House to join the King’s car for the short trip to Buckingham Palace.
Luggage had been packed and was believed to be in vehicles heading separately to Sandringham by road.
At around this time the King’s chopper left its base at RAF Odiham, Hants.
It was pictured landing in the Palace gardens at around 2.25pm.
While the helicopter awaited the King and Queen, Harry’s convoy was spotted several miles away on the A4 in Kensington, West London, at 2.30pm.
Fifteen minutes later, the four vehicles arrived through the gates of Clarence House, with Harry, dressed in black, pictured sitting in the back seat of an SUV.
The King was ready to leave but delayed his departure so he could greet his son, it is understood.
Following their meeting, Harry’s convoy left Clarence House, at around 3.30pm
The chauffeur-driven State Bentley then took Charles and Camilla to Buckingham Palace.
Crowds of wellwishers gathered at the Palace gates to cheer the King and Queen as they arrived.
The couple were then escorted to the King’s helicopter which took off from the Palace garden at 3.46pm for the short trip to Sandringham.
It landed 185km away on the Norfolk estate at 4.20pm.
Sources said that rather than catch up with his brother, William remained in Windsor where he is looking after Kate, herself recuperating from abdominal surgery.
He is also caring for their three children — George, Charlotte and Louis — at Adelaide Cottage.
William will return to work today, attending an investiture at Windsor Castle, and a gala for London Air Ambulance.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
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