Prince Harry ‘deeply shocked’ by King’s decision

The Duke of Sussex may have put on a brace face, but his father’s recent move reportedly left him privately devastated.

Prince Harry was reportedly devastated by his father declining an invitation to catch up during his brief return to the UK earlier this month, especially as “everyone knew the real reason”.

The Duke of Sussex spent two days in London, within just a few kilometres of King Charles, during the 10th year anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games.

Amid heavy speculation about whether or not the pair would meet in the days leading up to his arrival, Harry’s spokesman released a statement on their plans.

“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 program,” the spokesman said.

“The duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8 in London. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

While outwardly diplomatic, the statement made it clear that it was the King who had been either unable or unwilling to alter his schedule to see his son, with whom the relationship has been heavily strained in recent years.

According to royal author Tom Quinn, Harry had privately found the public snub “painful”.

“He was deeply shocked at his father’s blunt refusal to see him even for a moment,” he told the UK’s Mirror.

“This time the rejection was particularly painful because it was so public – Harry may have issued a statement saying he completely understood why his father didn’t have time to see him, but everyone knows the real reason had nothing to do with busy schedules.”

King Charles – seen here with Queen Camilla – did not have time to see his son, according to the statement. Picture: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Within days of Harry departing the UK, a report emerged that the King had avoided the meet up in order to dodge “the drama” associated with his youngest son.

“He doesn’t need the drama in his life,” the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden claimed a source close to the King told him.

“Harry and Meghan have brought him, and the rest of the family, nothing but worries over the past few years.”

The journalist added that the divide between Harry and Meghan and the rest of his family is unlikely to be bridged until the Sussexes apologise for their repeated criticisms of the royal family.