In his book “Spare,” Prince Harry explained that for his father he was nothing more than a “spare,” as if he “was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy.”
You can learn a lot about Prince Harry’s relationship with his father from that sentence Harry used in his book. As they are having a strained relationship with each other, King Charles is sad that his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are growing up away from him.
Jennie Bond, royal correspondent, shared that the children are the reason why Meghan and Harry is still in touch with the royal family.
“I can imagine that the King very much wants the chance to get to know Archie and Lilibet and to create some memories for them. The children may provide the most compelling link between Charles and Harry, and convince them both to forgive, if not forget, the bitter rows of the past,” former BBC royal correspondent shared.
“I fervently hope that Harry will not follow Meghan’s example of remaining obdurately estranged from her father and most of her family. Maybe Archie and Lilibet hold the key to reconciliation between Charles and Harry.”
Ingrid Seward, royal author and expert, shared that King Charles is not cutting his son off for the same reason, his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.
“Family has always been important to the King. He remembers his own somewhat fragmented childhood as his parents were always busy doing their duty. It is a great sadness to him he doesn’t see more of Archie and Lilibet,” Seward shared.
“That is why he will never break ties with Harry. He does not want a FaceTime relationship with his son’s children,” the expert added. “He wants to know them and be involved with their lives while they are still young enough to be able to learn from his wisdom. His cancer has made it all the more poignant to him as he knows that he won’t be around forever.”
Emily Andrews, royal commentator, shared that when King Charles receives a phone call from Harry, he would not be happy. “Now, even his own father is not taking his calls. I’m told that when courtiers bring the phone to the King (Charles doesn’t have his own mobile phone) he waves them away in irritation,” royal commentator said.
“This is not because there’s been yet another falling out,” she added. “Rather, it is thought to be because Harry wants to continuously discuss his ongoing battle for security, which he has been fighting in the court for four years and believes Charles has the power to reinstate.”
Despite the strained relationship between Charles and Harry, the King called his son when it was Harry’s 40th birthday, and had a lovely conversation with him.
“Charles wants to know what’s going on in Harry’s life and hear about the children, but he’s guarded because Harry has breached the trust between them on a number of occasions. Charles needs to know their private conversations remain just that. Private,” a source shared.
When Harry called King Charles for his 75th birthday, the details of their conversation were hit the headlines, which King Charles got mad for that reason, as royal expert Rebecca English shared.
“Charles is angry, and he is hurt. But he is still his son at the end of the day, which is why it’s always been said as much as he is keeping distance at the moment, he will never entirely shut that door to him,” royal expert said.
“One thing I did find out is how really disappointed the king was back in November when Harry did call him to wish him not just a happy 75th birthday, but also his children did a little video singing happy birthday to the grandpa they barely even see.”
“And within hours of that happening, that was leaked from the Sussex side to favored media and that really crossed the line in the sand for the royal family, because so very little of their lives is genuinely private. So much is lived in public or even surrounded by staff watching everything they do. So, private conversations, particularly private phone calls, are really considered just that.”
Back in May, Prince Harry attended to the Invictus Games in London. He also declined King Charles’ offer to stay at a royal residence. As they didn’t meet with each other, it is possible that they will not have a meeting when Harry will be returning for the WellChild Awards.
“I am once again honored to attend this year’s WellChild Awards celebrating the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs,” Harry shared once.
“The King is due to head south in late September,” a source shared. “The King and Queen will mark the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament on September 28 and will have several free days afterwards.”
“There are currently discussions ongoing about finding a mutually agreeable place in the diary.”
“If the King decides to head to London in the evening of Sunday 29 for meetings pencilled inearly that week, it is still looking highly unlikely that there will be time to meet with his son,” a source shared. “It still hasn’t been decided if His Majesty will head to Highgrove or London on the tail end of Scotland or how his plans will pan out during that week.”
“Harry is also making a flying visit and his travel plans have already been booked and organised. There still could be something worked out as nothing is set in stone but it doesn’t look promising.”
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