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Prince Harry’s arrival will test William’s patience after swipes at Kate – but brothers will be forced to put feud aside
Expert reveals why this could be a 'eureka moment' for Harry
PRINCE Harry's arrival is set to test William's patience after swipes were made at Kate - but the brothers will be forced to put the feud aside, claims a royal expert.
King Charles' shock cancer diagnosis may finally see a four-year rift squashed as family members rally around him during a tough time in an already tumultuous 18 months.
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Buckingham Palace revealed in a statement on Monday that while undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate, the disease was detected.
It is understood Charles, 75, personally broke the news to sons William and Harry ahead of the public finding out.
This morning, Harry was spotted at LAX ready to jet back to the UK following the telephone conversation with his father.
He is expected to land around midday on Tuesday.
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Ahead of his arrival, a royal expert has exclusively told The Sun Online that Prince William will be extremely anxious to see his younger brother.
Angela Levin said the "door is always open" for Charles, but William will take some convincing when it comes to building bridges with the Duke of Sussex.
She said: "I think the two brothers are the most difficult when it comes to the feud being squashed.
"William is absolutely furious with Harry and won’t forgive him particularly for how rude he’s been about Catherine.
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"He used to say she was like the sister he had always hoped for.
"Catherine has been recovering from a major operation. I think William will be icy cold, it’s very hard for him because he has a lot on his plate.
The Sun's Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards is keeping positive about King Charles' cancer diagnosis
"He’ll be taking on engagements and making sure Catherine is ok.
"I don’t think he will have much patience for Harry, it’s gone on for so long.
"I think if Harry is lucky, he’ll get a civil conversation of ‘Hi, how are you? Bye'."
"William will be very anxious that whatever he says to Harry, he will sell.
"He’s put himself in a position that you can’t trust him.
"My guess is that the family feel cautious about him coming.
"After four years of rudeness and untruths most of the time, it’s very difficult to suddenly change."
It might just start Harry thinking again about who he is, what he wants, and the family he came from who loved him very much.
Angela Levin
Angela said Harry rushing back to the UK unfortunately doesn't show his want to mend broken relationships with loved ones - but there is some "warm feeling deep down".
She added: "I think he’s come back because he knows if he doesn’t he’d get such a terrible reaction.
"Deep down there must be something that warms toward his father.
"But I fear he would bring up Meghan and difficult conversations during this time.
"I suspect he won’t see his father on his own in case he gets annoyed, Camilla will probably be there to supervise the conversation, it’s very sad.
"But on the other hand maybe it will warm Harry and he’ll realise how cruel he’s been and soften down – but then he’ll come up against a wall with Meghan.
"He was very close with his father when he was younger, even closer than William.
"I think it might be the beginning of their relationship rebuild, but it depends how Harry responds when he goes back to California to Meghan."
The royal author went on to reveal that while the King's diagnosis could be a "eureka moment" for Harry, he will have to battle Meghan.
She continued: "It could be a eureka moment for Harry and wanting to rebuild a relationship with his family but it’s hard when he has Meghan.
"If he was the only person to decide that the relationship with his family could be there, it would be fine.
Inside Charles' tumultuous 18 months from the Queen’s death to his cancer diagnosis
September 8 2022 - The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.
September 19 2022 - The stoic King led his family, marching behind the Queen's coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, at her funeral.
January 2023 - The Monarch deals with the fall out following Prince Harry's bombshell memoir Spare - in which the Duke blasted the Royal Family.
April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 6 2023 - Charles is crowned King at his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
November 2023 - The King celebrates his 75th birthday with a gathering of close family and friends at Clarence House.
January 17 2024 - Buckingham Palace announces His Majesty will be undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Just hours previous it was also revealed Princess Kate had been admitted to hospital for a pre-planned abdominal surgery.
January 26 2024 - The King is admitted to The London Clinic - where Princess Kate was also staying.
January 29 2024 - Charles waves as he leaves the hospital following a three day stay and being given the all clear.
It is understood the Monarch will take a month to recover after the surgery as Queen Camilla stands in during public appearances.
February 5 2024 - Buckingham Palace announces a form of cancer was diagnosed during the King's prostate op.
The statement confirms Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and "remains wholly positive".
He will also be postponing front line duties on doctor's advice but continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings.
February 6 2024 - Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by the Monarch, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover.
"But Meghan is so negative about the British Royal Family so I think she is going to have a big problem.
"Charles is getting old and Harry’s kids haven’t seen him much since they moved to America.
"So I hope Harry does feel guilty about that and that now enables him to be strong and change his views and set aside any rifts.
"One can hope that King Charles’ cancer can be dealt with, without too much trouble.
"It might just start Harry thinking again about who he is, what he wants, and the family he came from who loved him very much.
"I think Charles would be pleased to see Harry. He would be soft and he’s always felt that the door is open."
It comes after relations between Charles and Harry are said to be fractured beyond repair amid the fallout over the race row and his bombshell book 'Spare'.
Harry has hit out at his dad on multiple occasions since stepping back from the Royal Family, accusing the King of lying and making jokes at his son's expense.
What we know so far
- The King has been diagnosed with a form of cancer
- Prince Harry is flying to the UK to support his father
- Meghan will remain in California with their children
- The King personally called his siblings and children to tell them
- He is receiving expert care from specialist doctors
- His Majesty returned from Sandringham to London to begin treatment
- Doctors advised the King to postpone public-facing Royal duties
- Camilla is preparing to play an important role supporting the King
- Charles will continue to receive Red Boxes and State documents during his treatment
- The King will continue to meet the Prime Minister for a weekly audience
But the shock diagnosis could potentially be the spark needed to repair their strained relationship after four testing years, experts say.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams exclusively told The Sun: "The rift in the family is one thing, but there surely will be a good deal of solidarity among the royals because of what's happened and this includes Harry.
"I'm sure Harry will put aside the past right now for this serious issue. The Royal family - including the Sussexes - it's so important that everyone is pulling in the right direction."
King Charles has a taut relationship with his younger son Harry in the wake of 'Megxit' and subsequent claims in interviews and his memoirs.
But there could still be hope if the family "pull together" in this time of urgency.
The expert added: "For families everywhere cancer is so shocking and as much as humanly possible they need to pull together - and that includes Harry and Meghan despite everything that has happened.
"There will be concern from Prince Harry coming over, as he is his father, I sincerely hope it will be the moment that brings them together, families have known the struggle of cancer and this is clearly a circumstance no one foresaw.
"It is a deeply emotional time for the royal family and Harry is included in that, reconciliation could be hopeful with Sussexes but right now its about Charles and his treatment plan."
Charles is currently taking time off from his public-facing royal duties after further tests during his recent hospital stay detected the unspecified cancer.
While he takes a step back, Prince William, 41, and the Queen are set to share the "weight" of his duties.
And a surprising Royal Family member could join them.
Royal expert Angela Levin stressed it was "too early" to say for certain, but added: "Beatrice is a very stable, sensible person who is well-liked by the public, she has a good head on her shoulders.
"But it's very difficult to know what you have with the shocking diagnosis and where that will take the royals."
William and Harry have refused to meet up since the Queen's funeral
The monarch is said to be remaining "very positive" after Buckingham Palace released a statement which shocked the world on Monday.
The King retired to Clarence House last night after flying back to the capital from Sandringham.
With Camilla, 76, by his side, Charles started treatment as an out-patient.
Family members have rallied around the King, with Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mozzi spending time with him at the residence.
Meghan will not join Harry for the trip across the Atlantic to see Charles.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, will remain at their Montecito mansion with children Archie, 4 and two-year-old Lilibet.
Meanwhile, Harry's older brother, Prince William has given a date he will return to front-line engagements.
Back in 2020 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to step back from official duties and move abroad, triggering a family schism that was quickly dubbed ‘Megxit’.
The ongoing rift between the Duke of Sussex and the Royal Family has only deepened, with Harry's Netflix documentary and memoir Spare.
Sources say there is a “willingness and wanting to mend on both sides” after Harry’s explosive revelations in his book Spare and Netflix series although some royal observers have claimed they may have reached the point of no return.
Harry claimed in the book he was assaulted by his “arch-nemesis” Wills; pleaded with Charles not to marry his “wicked stepmother” Camilla; and told of Princess of Wales Kate and Meghan’s rift over “baby brain” comments.
William and Harry last saw each other at the Queen's funeral and the pair have since refused to meet up.
Hopes of a reconciliation had been raised after Harry called Charles to wish him a happy 75th birthday in November 2023 and sent a video of the King’s US-based grandkids Archie, now four, and Lilibet, two.
And in Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series Harry claimed Royal men marry look to marry someone who “would fit the mould”.
Prince William, interpreting him as referring to his wife Kate, slammed the statement as the “lowest of the low”, according to Hardman's book.
Prince Harry's tense visits to Britain since Megxit
Relations between Charles and Harry are said to be fractured beyond repair amid the fallout over the race row.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun in December: “Charles and Harry’s relationship was at an all-time low before but this may have fractured it beyond all repair.
“It could spell the end game for them.”
Hopes of a reconciliation had been raised after Harry called Charles to wish him a happy 75th birthday last month and sent a video of the King’s US-based grandkids Archie, now four, and Lilibet, two.
And now, Harry will jet to the UK to be with his dad following the King's shock cancer diagnosis.
Here's a look inside their fractured relationship since Megxit.
January 2020 - Harry and Meghan make their 'Megxit' flight, leaving for Canada, eventually setting up home in California, USA.
March 2021 - Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.
July 2021 Harry jets back to UK to join William in unveiling a statue to their mother Princess Diana in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
But sources claimed William didn’t want to attend the memorial amid their ongoing rift.
Pals said at the time: “William was still furious. He had taken the view that he’d only give so much. He just didn’t want to go there [with Harry].”
September 2022 - Harry jets to the UK for Prince Philip's funeral. Meghan Markle, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was unable to attend due to doctor's orders not to fly.
A pal of Harry's tells Omid Scobie Harry met the Queen privately ‘at least twice’ and spoke with Charles and William after the Westminster Abbey service.
Kate acts as a "peacemaker" between William and Harry as they share a private chat.
September 2022 - The duke claimed he found out Queen Elizabeth had died in an online news alert.
He jetted to Balmoral without Meghan, and claimed in Spare that she was told she should not attend by Charles.
Harry travelled on a separate flight to his brother William - who travelled with the rest of the family.
The duke wrote in his memoir: "When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: 'Call me when you get this.' I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King."
Harry and Meghan were sat behind Charles at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.
March 2023 - Harry is told King Charles is "too busy" to see him while he's in the UK for a privacy hearing, according to reports.
The Duke had jetted to the UK to attend a four-day preliminary hearing at the High Court in London regarding his battle with publisher Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
It was the first time the Prince was back on home soil since the Queen's funeral.
Harry flew back to the US once the hearing was over.
April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
The Duke travelled alone to attend the ceremony on May 6.
Harry headed straight back to the US following the coronation in Westminster Abbey.
He did not appear to speak to his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton at the ceremony - taking a backseat and sitting in the third row at the ceremony.
September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
Experts were stunned that he turned down the olive branch, seen as a sign that the King was ready to forgive his son’s repeated attacks on the Royal Family.
The Duke of Sussex, who was prepared to fly more than 5,000 miles from the US, snubbed the relatively short trip to Balmoral.
The King, 75, today began a schedule of regular treatments and postponed front line duties on doctors advice.
Monday's announcement comes just eight days after he was released from hospital following a "corrective procedure" for an enlarged prostate.
Meanwhile Princess Kate is not expected to resume royal duties for months after abdominal surgery.
A Buckingham Palace statement regarding Charles read: "During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted.
"Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
"His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.
"Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
"The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
"His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer."
It comes after a series of health scares to hit the Royal Family since the New Year.
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First, Kate was admitted to hospital on January 16 for planned abdominal surgery.
The dramatic news was followed an hour later by an announcement that the King required an op for "an enlarged prostate".
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