Charles ‘could have found time’ to see Harry but he ‘didn’t want to’ – anger is still there, Sun Royal Photographer says
Watch Arthur share his thoughts in the video player above
KING Charles could have found time to see Harry but he didn’t want to, the Sun’s Royal Photographer has said.
The Duke of Sussex flew in from California on Tuesday for a service marking the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games St Paul’s Cathedral.
He was said to be “in good spirits” during the summit, according to other guests.
But it was confirmed today that Prince Harry won’t meet his father King Charles during his whistle-stop UK trip this week.
A spokesperson for Harry revealed that this was no possible due to the monarch’s “full programme”, although the Duke of Sussex “hopes to see his father soon”.
Now, The Sun’s Royal photographer Arthur Edwards has claimed that the monarch “could have found time” to see his youngest son.
Mr Edwards said: “It’s great triumph that the King is back at work now and and back to the grindstone.
“Obviously his time is packed and there’s so many things to catch up on.
“But I’m sure if he wanted to he could have found time to see Harry, but obviously doesn’t want to and Harry seems to have accepted it.”
But Mr Edwards stressed that the King, who is bravely undergoing cancer treatment, perhaps thought it wasn’t the right time to see his son.
Mr Edwards continued: “Harry seems to have accepted the fact and he respects the King’s diary and that he’s full, fair enough.
“I had a lot of time for Harry. I thought he was one of the most fabulous people to work with.
“But sadly he’s turned his back on all that and now it’s just a question of popping in and out when it suits him.
“Well it probably suits him but it doesn’t suit the King, so maybe its a case of ‘I’m sorry Harry, not this time, maybe next time’.”
Mr Edwards added: “There is anger towards Harry because of the book, and that interview.
“Nothing, in my view, is more important than family and perhaps Harry should remember that sometimes.”
Harry and Charles last reunited at Clarence House in February for their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months.
The prince flew to the UK alone without Meghan or their children Archie and Lilibet.
But Meghan will join Harry on his visit to Nigeria later this week, it’s understood.
It’s understood Harry will not see his brother Prince William – but had been “keen” to see his dad while visiting.
Charles, 75, resumed public duties last week for the first time since beginning cancer treatment.
He is now expected to attend the year’s first Buckingham Palace garden party.
ROYAL RIFT
William has been stung by his brother’s attacks and has not spoken to Harry since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
In January this year, Harry flew in to be with Charles after the monarch’s shock cancer diagnosis.
But the Duke flew back to the US the following day – without seeing Wills.
Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014 as a sports contest for injured military veterans.
At the gathering today he paid tribute to competitors’ “commitment, enthusiasm and belief”.
n the programme for the summit, he writes: “It has been an honour to watch the Invictus Games Foundation grow over the years.
“It began as a vision to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
“It has now flourished into an international organisation built on hope, strength, and unity.”
Harry & the King can't play happy families with such huge public attention, says The Sun's Matt Wilkinson
By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor
Prince Harry is in London but he won’t meet his father The King.
The Duke of Sussex arrived from LA alone without Meghan or their children for a busy diary of events marking 10 years of his Invictus Games.
Before setting off from California it is understood Harry was said to have been “keen’ to see the King for only the second time since his cancer diagnosis.
It is rather telling that confirmation there will be no meeting has come from the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex rather than Buckingham Palace.
His team say “it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program”.
They add: “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Now, the word that jumps out is “priorities”.
The King, we understand, is busy as he returns to public duty.
For instance, on Tuesday while Harry was in London the King was carrying out his constitutional duty and meeting the Prime Minister of Fiji at the palace.
He is also set to host a palace garden party and weekly audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
And Harry’s diary is packed full for three days with Invictus. However, they will be at times just two miles apart and risk even driving past each other on London’s roads.
Some observers may see this as “sad” that father and son cannot find time.
Others may say that it’s understandable as both have work commitments and “priorities”.
But maybe there has just been too much water under the bridge for father and son to play happy families amid such huge public attention.
It comes as Wills is today set to award the mum of one of Harry’s pals an MBE.
Henry van Straubenzee died in a car crash in 2002 – he had been the Duke’s best pal at school.
Wills is now set to today honour Claire van Straubenzee at Windsor Castle in recognition of services to children’s education in Uganda.
Henry, known as Henners, was killed in a car crash near Ludgrove Prep school in Berkshire, where he was working during his gap year.
Prince Harry wrote affectionately of Henry in his memoir Spare.
