It appears Prince Harry maneuvered the situation in a way that may not align with King Charles's wishes.
According to a palace insider, when the Duke of Sussex arrived in the UK earlier this month for a special service to honor the Invictus Games, many expected a reunion with his father. However, a statement from Harry's spokesperson confirmed he would not be meeting his father, who had a "full program."
Later reports in the Sunday Times revealed that Harry had asked if he could stay at a royal residence during his UK visit—a request said to have been granted by his father—though Harry ultimately stayed in a hotel.
Discussing this on the podcast "The Royals with Roya and Kate," Sunday Times royal editor Roya Nikkhah explained, "From the moment he [Harry] arrived and we got that statement from Harry's spokesperson saying it wasn't possible for Harry to see his father because his father was too busy, it set the tone for the whole week that Harry said 'Pa is too busy to see me.'
"I felt something wasn't quite right, so I investigated further and discovered that Harry had asked to stay, and Charles had said, 'Yes, come and stay, son. Stay in a royal residence, so it's easier for us to see each other given our schedules.'
"This turned everything on its head because, despite Harry's narrative that he wanted to see his father but Charles was too busy, the reality was Charles had invited him to stay, which would have made it easier for them to meet."
The Times assistant editor Kate Mansey added, "Someone at the palace told me that the King was hurt by the statement Harry put out, which adds to the tension."
Roya continued, "The ongoing issue is that Harry insists he asked to see his father well in advance, more than 28 days before his Home Office security notice. Charles's camp, however, claims they were unaware of such a request. So, recollections may vary."
For context, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary over the weekend, but there was no public acknowledgment from the couple.
