During a surprise visit to the TIME100 Sports Gala in New York City on July 16, the Duke of Sussex told attendees that King Charles was “doing great,” offering one of the few public comments about the monarch’s condition since his cancer diagnosis became known. The brief remark came as Prince Harry received recognition for founding the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded military personnel he launched in 2014 after serving two tours in Afghanistan.
The update arrived just six days following a private reunion at Highgrove House, where Harry and Meghan Markle brought Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, to see the King and Queen Camilla on July 10. The encounter marked the first in-person meeting between Charles and his two California-based grandchildren since the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
While addressing gala guests in New York, Harry also shared that his family was “happy” to be home in California and joked that Archie and Lilibet were “growing like weeds.” Meghan did not share any images from the Gloucestershire estate visit, and Buckingham Palace confirmed only that a private family gathering had occurred, releasing no photographs or specifics about the meeting’s duration or substance.
Cancer Treatment Continues for the Monarch
King Charles revealed in February 2024 that physicians had diagnosed him with cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate. Palace officials clarified the diagnosis was not prostate cancer but have declined to identify the specific form of the disease. Harry’s comment at the gala provided no further medical details, and the monarch’s treatment regimen is understood to remain active.
When treatment began, Charles temporarily withdrew from public duties while maintaining his responsibilities for state paperwork and official correspondence. He later resumed attending engagements even as care continued. In a December 2025 video for Stand Up To Cancer, the King indicated his treatment schedule might be reduced in the coming year, calling that prospect a “personal blessing” and expressing gratitude to medical teams and families navigating cancer care.
The monarch has maintained a robust calendar of appearances in 2026, participating in hospital visits, military ceremonies and events focused on cancer awareness and early detection. His public statements have regularly emphasized the importance of diagnosis, treatment and the support families provide to patients.
Signs of Reconciliation With the King
On the “The Royals with Roya and Kate” podcast, royal editor Roya Nikkhah observed that Harry seemed unusually cheerful and energized around the time of the Highgrove gathering. She highlighted his demeanor at an Invictus gathering in Birmingham one day prior to the family meeting, as he made his way between the NEC venue and Warwickshire while aware that his scheduled appointment with Charles was imminent.
Nikkhah characterized the handling of the encounter as unusually private, noting there was no leaking of information and none of the emotional public commentary Harry has offered following past family interactions. She suggested the decision to bring Archie and Lilibet to see their grandfather after four years reflected optimism about rebuilding ties, even amid broader family tensions.
Reports indicated neither Prince William nor Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended the gathering, and the Sussexes made no joint public appearances during the U.K. visit.
Ongoing Rifts and Security Disputes
Relations between Harry and the royal family have deteriorated sharply since he and Meghan withdrew as working royals and moved to Canada, then California, five years ago. Televised interviews and the publication of his memoir “Spare” deepened divisions, while disagreements over government-funded security for his wife and children during visits to Britain have sustained friction.
The Duke remains estranged from Prince William, with sources describing the brothers as having no contact. However, reports suggest progress in his relationship with King Charles, and the July 10 visit to Highgrove indicates ongoing efforts to repair that connection.
At the TIME100 Sports Gala, Harry spoke about his military service and explained how athletic competition helps injured veterans rebuild confidence and strengthen family relationships. He founded the Invictus Games after completing his service in the British Army, which included deployments to Afghanistan.