Queen Camilla reportedly discouraged King Charles III from meeting with his son, Prince Harry, during the Duke of Sussex’s September 30, 2024 visit to the United Kingdom (UK). The concern stems from the king’s ongoing battle with cancer, with Camilla advising that unnecessary stress should be avoided. Close friends of the Queen have stated that her main priority is Charles’ health, especially with his upcoming trip to Australia in mid-October. Camilla does not want him to be overwhelmed by this demanding schedule.
The meeting, which Harry has reportedly been eager for, appears increasingly unlikely due to the King’s current location in Scotland. Although some sources indicated that Harry would be based in London, there has been speculation about whether he might travel to meet his father. One insider commented, “Charles has an instinctive impulse toward Christian reconciliation, especially since his cancer diagnosis, but Camilla has been the principal voice urging him to slow down.”
Although King Charles is inclined to mend his relationship with Prince Harry, his advisers are urging caution regarding a potential meeting. The main concern centers on possible constitutional issues if Harry requests his father’s involvement in his ongoing legal battle with the British government over his security arrangements. Despite Harry’s previous disappointment about missed chances to meet with his father, Charles is reportedly aware of the complex political and legal factors that could be involved. It has been noted that the King feels constrained by the constitutional challenges, making personal reconciliation difficult.
The tension between Harry and his brother, Prince William, complicates matters further. The brothers have had a very public estrangement, largely due to Harry’s candid remarks about William and his wife, Kate Middleton, in his memoir “Spare.” William’s opinion on the situation also influences Charles’ decision. William reportedly sees Harry’s actions as a betrayal, and the ongoing fallout from this family conflict continues to hinder any attempts at reconciliation.
In a move that surprised many, Buckingham Palace recently extended birthday wishes to Harry through its social media channels, a gesture that William and Kate’s Kensington Palace accounts copied. However, insiders have downplayed this significance, describing it as a routine formality. “It was just a company thing. Happy birthday blah blah blah,” another insider commented, emphasizing that this doesn’t necessarily indicate any thaw in relations between the estranged siblings.
Sources close to the family reveal that Camilla has been a key figure in advising the King to prioritize his health, given the physical and emotional demands he faces.
Harry’s relationship with the rest of the Royal Family remains strained, though some believe that Charles’ health struggles may eventually bring some reconciliation. However, any face-to-face meeting between the King and his younger son seems unlikely for now.