Dismissing rumors of a reconciliation with Prince Harry, King Charles appears to have delivered yet another blow to his younger son as plans for a meeting with Prince William emerge.
Buckingham Palace announced that the 75-year-old monarch will participate in a joint engagement with his eldest son next week, during which the Prince of Wales will be appointed as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
This announcement came shortly after Prince Harry released a statement ruling out a meeting with the King during his current visit to the UK, leading royal insiders to question the timing of the news.
It's worth noting that the role was previously designated for the Duke of Sussex due to his service in Afghanistan before he stepped back from his royal duties.
The Palace statement regarding William’s new role stated: “At the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, His Majesty The King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales."
“In August 2023, following His Majesty's Accession, The King was pleased to announce military appointments including that The Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps," the statement continued.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, speaking to the Daily Mail, described the estrangement between the father and son as "one of the most public rifts in the world."
“This, whatever the logistics, will be widely perceived as a snub,” he remarked after Prince Harry's statement ruling out a meeting with the King during his UK visit.
“This is one of the most public rifts in the world. If it was handled in private without so much press speculation, it would have a better chance of being resolved,” he added.
