The Duke of Sussex traveled to London alone last week, without Meghan Markle or their two children, only to face a stark and public rejection from his father, King Charles. According to a royal expert, Prince Harry was deeply shocked and hurt by his father's blunt refusal to see him.
Harry, 39, was in London for a special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Despite the significant occasion, his father did not make time to meet him, adding to the tension and disappointment.
As rumors swirled about a possible reunion between Harry and Charles—just months after they reconciled following the monarch's cancer diagnosis—the Duke of Sussex released a statement confirming there would be no meeting with his father during his brief visit. "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," a spokesperson for Harry announced. "The duke, of course, understands his father's diary commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."
Royal expert and author Tom Quinn told The Mirror that Harry was devastated by his father's public rejection, especially given the expectations surrounding their potential reunion. “He was deeply shocked at his father’s blunt refusal to see him even for a moment,” Quinn explained. “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.”
During his three-day stay in London, Harry was also reportedly denied accommodation at any royal residences, forcing him to stay in a hotel. According to The Times, Harry had made a request to see his father well in advance, following royal protocols requiring 28 days' notice. Despite this, Buckingham Palace sources claimed Harry "changed his mind" about staying in a royal palace and did not formally request to see his father.
This trip, marked by personal and public disappointment, saw Harry return to London without his wife Meghan Markle or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
