So near, but no royal reunion for Prince Harry

In the gardens of Buckingham Palace the King, recovering from cancer, was surrounded by his family and 8000 guests. Two miles down the road at St Paul’s Cathedral his son cut a lonelier figure.

Prince Harry on Wednesday, and King Charles enjoys his garden party at Buckingham Palace. Picture: Getty

In the gardens of Buckingham Palace the King, recovering from cancer, was surrounded by his family and 8000 other guests. Two miles down the road at St Paul’s Cathedral his son cut a lonelier figure.

The Duke of Sussex made a rare UK public appearance to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, his competition for military veterans.

However, no senior members of the royal family joined Harry at the service after it was revealed that the King was too busy to see him during his brief transatlantic visit.

Only members of the late Princess Diana’s family were in attendance, including Harry’s uncle, Earl Spencer, and his aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes.

Prince Harry greets the public while departing The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Picture: Getty Images

Spencer, who promised to look after Princes William and Harry at the funeral of his sister in 1997, last year publicly supported his nephew’s privacy battle against the tabloid press.

Harry was also joined by Mark Dyer, who has been called his “second dad”. The former officer in the Welsh Guards who became a royal equerry acted as a mentor to Harry and William after their mother’s death.

The event took place on the same day that the King hosted the first garden party of the year at the Palace. Charles was accompanied by the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend. William had conducted an investiture in Windsor earlier in the day and Kate is not undertaking public duties due to her health.

The King, 75, returned to frontline public duties last week.

He did not hold back in greeting well-wishers, shaking hands and grinning from ear to ear.

Harry had suggested that he wished to spend time during his trip to London with his father.

He last saw the King shortly after his cancer diagnosis was revealed in February but was granted only a short meeting.

King Charles speaks to guests attending a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

The Times