Prince Harry's flying visit to the United Kingdom shows how deep the rift between the royal family has actually become, royal experts claim, and he has caused “unrest” with his uninvited trip.
The Duke of Sussex returned to Heathrow this afternoon, just 24 hours after a transatlantic trip to visit King Charles III. in London after the monarch was diagnosed with a shocking cancer diagnosis.
And the nature of his trip, during which he had a “brief 45-minute meeting” with the King and Camilla and is believed not to have seen his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton, shows just how bad things have really gotten. said royal expert Jennie Bond.
She claimed: “William has shown today that he has rejected Harry, that he doesn't want to know him and that he probably doesn't even like him anymore. “Harry is simply not a part of his life.
“This rift is so deep now, and it showed when Harry was here and they didn't meet, so deep that I really wonder if it can ever, ever be repaired.”
Robert Jobson told Mail+ that while his “favorite boy”'s gesture had actually touched Charles, it had caused “some unrest because he had 'took it upon himself' to fly over uninvited.”
Harry, 39, arrived at Heathrow just before 2pm – and if he is on board British Airways Flight 269, which departs at 3.05pm, he will be back in Los Angeles at 6.30pm local time.
Prince William has “disowned” his brother Harry, a royal expert has claimed
The Duke of Sussex is welcomed into the Windsor Suite at London Heathrow Airport this afternoon
Prince Harry is seen arriving at Heathrow Airport this afternoon as his 24-hour journey to London came to an end
The Duke of Sussex wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans as he prepared to fly home
Prince Harry arrived at London Heathrow yesterday and was back this afternoon
The Duke of Sussex will return to his wife Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet
Prince Harry enters Heathrow Airport as he leaves London after just 24 hours
The Duke of Sussex did not meet William or Kate during his trip. Pictured: Harry arrives in a car at the Windsor Suite at Heathrow Airport this afternoon
He flew from Los Angeles to London yesterday on a 10-hour flight, arriving at the royal residence at 2.42pm before spending around 45 minutes with Charles.
Charles was said to be unhappy as he had to wait “anxiously” for Harry's arrival while delaying his trip to the “peace and quiet of Norfolk” for “peace and quiet”, Jobson said.
“I can't blame Harry for flying over,” he said. “No matter how reassuring the palace courtiers may be, his father's diagnosis is a serious matter.”
“However, the Prince should also spend some time reflecting on the stress he has caused the King, not least as he dealt with the loss first of his own father, Prince Philip, and then of course his late mother, the Queen .” .
“Who could be surprised if Harry wasn't welcomed with open arms?”
The father and son had a “brief meeting” before the King and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter was waiting to take them back to Sandringham in Norfolk.
The Duke is not believed to have seen his brother William or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is recovering from abdominal surgery and on an extended holiday.
But expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that the fact that Prince Harry made the trip at all shows hope for a reconciliation.
He told Web: “Having cancer changed the whole situation.” The fact that the King was diagnosed with what millions know is life-threatening has changed the entire relationship between the royal family and the Sussexes.
“The only way for a family to beat cancer is to come together.”
“There's been a lot of talk about the length of Harry's visit and his quick departure, but that's not the point.” The point is that Harry came – and Charles told him the diagnosis. He wanted to express his support, it's a completely new situation.
Prince Harry is seen at Clarence House in London yesterday to meet his father, who is suffering from cancer
Prince Harry was escorted from London Heathrow to Clarence House after flying in from LAX
“Harry is probably planning on getting over himself in the future.” Charles started outpatient treatment and was probably very tired, which may be one reason the visit was so short.
“I hope this could be the beginning of some form of reconciliation.”
“There was no question that he would meet William – they haven't spoken in months, William has appointments and Catherine is recovering.”
“And of course they don’t trust the Sussexes because if they had said something in the past the comment could have ended up in a book or in the media.”
Harry flew more than 5,000 miles from Los Angeles to London yesterday after his father informed him of his devastating diagnosis. It was their first formal face-to-face meeting since the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
The prince attended Charles' coronation at Westminster Abbey in May last year but was not seen interacting with the newly crowned king and queen.
A palace source told The Times that the meeting between Harry and the king was brief because Charles was tired from a procedure on Monday.
However, they said the 75-year-old king and 76-year-old queen were “coping along brilliantly”, adding: “If you didn't know what was going on you would have no idea he even had any illness.”
Even though there was a thaw between father and son, Harry's trip did not include a reunion with his brother Prince William.
After meeting his son, King Charles left Clarence House with Queen Camilla yesterday
Prince William is preparing for the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle today
There was hope that this would have been a chance for the brothers to repair their strained relationship.
William, 41, remains focused on caring for his wife Kate as she recovers from abdominal surgery and is taking an extended break from her public duties until after Easter.
But the Prince of Wales returned to public work today, conducting an investiture at Windsor Castle in the morning before attending a gala for the London Air Ambulance Service later in the evening.
William is expected to speak for the first time about his father's cancer diagnosis.
Last night it was claimed that Harry would have “happily accepted” a reunion with his brother William but instead “spent a night in a London hotel”.
Harry, pictured being driven into Clarence House yesterday, did not stay at any royal residence as he has been virtually homeless on British soil since his eviction from Frogmore Cottage last year.
The Duke now returns to his home in Montecito, California, where he will be reunited with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, following his pit stop in London.
Harry will join Meghan in Canada next week for an event commemorating the Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler.
Although Harry and the Prince of Wales did not meet during the Duke's stay, it is believed that mutual friend Mark Dyer – who acted as the princes' mentor after Diana's death – could act as a bridge between the siblings.
A source told The Times that former Welsh Guards officer Mr Dyer, who recently recovered from stomach cancer, had offered Harry support in recent years.
“Mark can always be counted on to talk sense into Harry and he will be a stoic, secret support for Harry at what will likely be a stressful time for him,” the source said.
It is believed Harry was in this Range Rover as it left Heathrow yesterday afternoon
Police yesterday escorted a Range Rover believed to be transporting Prince Harry from Heathrow
A Range Rover believed to be carrying Prince Harry arrives at Los Angeles airport on Monday
People close to Harry said he would have taken the opportunity to meet his brother, with an insider adding: “The Duke's main reason for traveling to the UK is to visit his father.” “If the opportunity had arisen “To see the Prince of Wales, the Duke would have gladly accepted it.”
It was hoped that Harry's return to Britain could help heal wounds with King Charles and provide a chance to reach out to William amid years of strained relations.
Harry and Meghan quit royal duties in early 2020 to live in the United States.
The duke has been critical of his family in television interviews and in his book Spare, published last year.
The bombastic book offered breathtaking insights into the prince's relationship with his father and brother.
Harry has barely spoken to his father since the death of Queen Elizabeth II and is reported to have had no contact when he celebrated his 39th birthday in September.
Charles had called him personally to tell him the devastating news and the Duke immediately jumped on a plane so he could fly to Britain as quickly as possible.
A luxury Range Rover believed to be carrying the British royal was seen arriving at LAX's VIP terminal on Monday evening and he boarded the earliest flight so he could be in London at midday yesterday.
Princess Anne continues her royal engagements today by visiting the Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Regiment at St George's Barracks in Bicester, Oxfordshire
Prince William returned to his public duties today. Here he is pictured awarding an OBE to Brigadier Tobias Lambert during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle
Despite his ongoing dispute with the Home Office, Harry was accompanied by police security.
In “Spare,” Harry revealed that Charles had asked his feuding sons: “Please boys, don't make my final years miserable.”
And his trip may have been motivated by that plea.
Richard Eden, editor of the Chron Diary, said yesterday that Harry and Charles had held a “brief meeting” before the king returned to Sandringham.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also said: “I'm sure Harry will now put the past aside for this serious issue.” “It's so important for the royal family – including the Sussexes – that everyone pulls together.”
Kristina Kyriacou, the king's former press secretary, added: “Charles loves Harry.” He wanted nothing of this estrangement. “If from bad news comes good news and Harry and the King and the Queen and his brother are reunited – how wonderful.”
The King was flown by helicopter from Sandringham to London on Monday to begin outpatient cancer treatment.
He then spent Monday evening at home in London – as family and friends revealed the monarch remained “extremely positive” following his bombshell diagnosis.
However, it has been claimed he could miss public duties for several months.
The King and Camilla landed back at Sandringham in Norfolk at around 4.20pm yesterday, having left London immediately following the monarch's meeting with his son Harry.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said yesterday he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the king's cancer diagnosis, but revealed: “Thankfully it was caught early.”
The royal contacted both Harry and William personally to inform them of his cancer diagnosis before it was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6pm on Monday.
The palace said doctors discovered the cancer last month during a medical procedure for an enlarged prostate. Sources suggest the cancer is in another part of the king's body but was discovered during surgery last week.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Another problem was noted during the King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement.” Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a type of cancer.
In the picture, a helicopter landed at Buckingham Palace to take Charles back to Sandringham
The Monarch's Sikorsky S-76C helicopter landed at Sandringham at around 4.20pm yesterday
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at Clarence House yesterday
“His Majesty began a regular treatment plan today, during which he was advised by doctors to postpone public duties.” During this time, His Majesty will continue to conduct state business and official paperwork as usual.
“The King is grateful to his medical team for the rapid intervention made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.” He remains absolutely positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to public service as soon as possible.
“His Majesty has decided to share his diagnosis to avoid speculation and in the hope that it may contribute to the public’s understanding of all people affected by cancer around the world.”
The palace said the king looks forward to “returning to full public service as soon as possible,” but it is not yet known whether this will extend to his participation in events such as those marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day will have an impact in June.
It is understood he will continue to receive red boxes and process state documents during treatment, and there are no plans to appoint state advisers.
A palace spokesman said: “Unfortunately, some of the King's upcoming public appearances will have to be rearranged or postponed.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Sunday
“His Majesty would like to apologize to anyone who may be disappointed or inconvenienced by this.”
Despite huge concerns about Charles' health, MP Chris Bryant, who had surgery for skin cancer in March 2019, told Sky News: “I think we should all calm down.” [about the King]. Cancer is not a death sentence.
“The worst day was the first night.” Things are getting better. As you know, during my treatment they cut out a piece of the back of my head. “It was all very scary and I’m still here.”
Charles has postponed all public duties, but continues to work behind the scenes on his red boxes of government papers.
Confirmation of William's return to official duties is seen as an attempt to signal stability within the monarchy despite the difficult times facing the royals.
William, the Queen and the Princess Royal will be the main royals holding down the fort, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The prince conducted an investiture at Windsor Castle this morning – one of his regular duties – where former England footballer Ellen White was honored, among others.
William, who is president of the Football Association, will make the record-breaking lioness an MBE for her services to the game.
Other honorees expected at the ceremony include David Shreeve – who co-founded an environmental action group with TV botanist David Bellamy – and Francis Dickinson – who solved an 80-year-old maritime mystery by finding the wreckage of a submarine lost at sea. Bootes located during the Second World War.
In the evening, William will attend the gala fundraising dinner for the London Air Ambulance Charity in central London in his role as patron of the organisation.
The gala dinner will raise funds for London's Air Ambulance Charity's Up Against Time appeal, which is seeking £15 million to replace the service's helicopter fleet by the autumn.
William is a former air ambulance pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance and will meet crew members, former patients and supporters during the event before giving a short speech.
Anne held the fort at the royal engagements yesterday, conducting an investiture at Windsor Castle on behalf of the king, before visiting the family-run company GH Hurt & Son in Nottingham, which has supplied cloths for royal newborns for more than 70 years.
She's also out again today, visiting the Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Regiment at St George's Barracks in Bicester. The Princess Royal is a Colonel in the Royal Logistical Corps.