King Charles is said to be eager to see Prince Harry, when he arrives in the UK next week, in a move which has reportedly been driven by his desire to see his grandchildren. In recent years, the monarch’s estrangement from his youngest son has also created distance from Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, something royal experts suggest has weighed heavily on him.
The Duke of Sussex is due back in the UK on September 8 for the WellChild Awards, presenting a rare opportunity for a father-son reunion. However, the date carries extra significance, as it marks the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Since 2022, the King has chosen to spend the day privately in Scotland, where the late Queen passed away.
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The King and Queen have been spending the summer at Balmoral and are expected to return there to mark the anniversary which falls two days after the upcoming Braemar Games.
This carries special significance, as following Queen Elizabeth’s passing, the King reflected: “My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days.”
Harry may travel to Scotland, though the King’s regular trips south for cancer treatment and public engagements could also create an opportunity for father and son to meet face to face closer to home.
Ingrid Seward, royal biographer and author of My Mother and I, told Newsweek that while a meeting could be on the cards, the responsibility may fall to Harry to make the trip north. She revealed: “My opinion is that Harry desperately needs the stardust of meeting his father. He needs the glow of being the king’s son to shine on him.”
“I think Harry would be very keen to meet his father and as a parent I would think Charles would probably like to see him. Because Charles isn’t seeing his grandchildren that must be really sad for him and if a meeting can be arranged without too much drama, he will see Harry,” she continued.
Archie and Lilibet are not expected to travel with their father and are expected to remain in the US with their mother, Meghan Markle.
Archie and Lilibet are both at school age, and a meeting between the King and Harry would offer a rare opportunity for them to catch up on family matters away from the media spotlight.
Any potential visit to Balmoral, or another royal residence in Scotland, would ultimately hinge on an invitation from the monarch and coordination with his senior aides.
Royal author Ingrid Seward suggested staff may even wish to be present during the encounter, noting: “I don’t think Charles would be against meeting him, but I don’t think he’ll meet him alone. I would think there would be an aide there.”
