A royal expert has delved into Prince Harry's recent remarks about King Charles's absence, uncovering nuances that illuminate his strained relationship with Prince William.
Gareth Russell, a royal historian and author, indicates that Prince William's omission from Harry's statement is telling, shedding light on the brothers' fractured bond.
Prince Harry did not meet with King Charles or any other royals, as a spokesperson cited the monarch's full agenda. Notably, the statement focused solely on his father, omitting any reference to his brother and Princess Catherine of Wales.
Speaking with The Sun's Royal Editor, Matt Wilkinson, Russell remarked on the significance of Prince William's absence from the statement: "It's quite telling. It seems almost assumed that they wouldn't meet, which in itself speaks volumes—the silence is quite revealing."
Additionally, it was disclosed that King Charles had granted a royal request from Prince Harry prior to his UK visit, which Harry later declined, according to an expert.
Earlier this month, Harry traveled solo from California to London for events related to his Invictus Games. His relationship with his royal relatives, especially with Prince William, has been tumultuous following his candid memoir, Spare, and the explosive interview he and Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey.
There was a glimmer of hope that his relationship with King Charles might improve, especially after a brief meeting during which the monarch revealed his cancer diagnosis. However, Harry's spokesperson later confirmed that Harry would not be meeting his father due to the King's "full programme."
In a recent podcast episode of The Royals with Roya and Kate, Sunday Times royal editor Roya Nikkhah revealed that Harry had requested to stay at a royal residence during his UK visit—a request that was granted by King Charles, but Harry chose to stay in a hotel instead.
Nikkhah explained: "The narrative from Harry's spokesperson suggested that he couldn't see his father due to the King's busy schedule. But upon further investigation, I found out that Harry had been invited to stay at a royal residence, which would have facilitated a meeting."
Kate Mansey, assistant editor at The Times, added: "A palace insider mentioned that the King was hurt by Harry's statement, highlighting the ongoing tensions."
