KING CHARLES offered to ‘put Prince Harry in a royal residence’ on his UK trip – but the Duke refused, friends claim.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is said to have snubbed his father’s offer when he returned to his homeland to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
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He traveled from his Montecito mansion on a whirlwind three-day visit to the glitzy event at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.
Harry was just three miles from his father, who was hosting the famous Buckingham Palace garden party the same night.
However, the pair did not meet, as the Duke’s spokesperson confirmed: “Unfortunately this will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full programme.
“The Duke, of course, understands his father’s schedule and various other priorities and looks forward to seeing him soon.”
Now sources have claimed the king agreed to let his estranged son stay at a royal residence during the trip – but the offer was turned down.
Harry is believed to have stayed in a hotel during his visit.
As reported by Sunday schedulesSources close to Her Majesty claimed that it would have been more practical to arrange a meeting between father and son if Harry had opted for a royal residence.
However, close friends of the Duke insist he did his best to arrange a meeting with Charles before the long-awaited trip.
However, those on the Monarch’s side continue to claim that the Duke never asked to see his father, nor invited him to the Invictus Games event.
A friend of Charles told the outlet: “It’s all very sad.”
They highlighted how the king would be “understandably cautious” about seeing Harry, but highlighted how he met his son “at the most vulnerable moment of his illness” when his cancer diagnosis was announced.
The friend added how “recollections may vary once again” regarding rumors that Charles “refused” to make room in his busy schedule.
This echoes the famous statement made by the late Queen herself following Harry and Meghan’s sensational Oprah interview.
Her Majesty said at the time: “Some recollections may vary.”
However, someone close to the duke disputed the claims made by the royal source.
“I can’t imagine this request [from Harry to Charles] fell through the gaps,” they said,
“Even if they didn’t receive the request, which I don’t believe, couldn’t His Majesty have made a request to see his son?”
Harry’s friends claimed he felt hurt by the snub as people “expected them to meet up”.
‘MEDIA CIRCUS’
Royal expert Robert Jobson told The Sun: “People think if Harry comes to town there will be some kind of reconciliation.
“But you will realize that there was a lot of water under the bridge, a lot of representation of trust.
“This takes time to rebuild, to rebuild, and I don’t think we’re anywhere near the stage of rebuilding trust.
He added: “Harry effectively decided to go and see his father alone when he told him he had been diagnosed with cancer, which would be seen by many as a good thing.
“But at the time I think the king didn’t want all the media circus that would accompany Harry’s arrival.”
Meanwhile, royal author Ingrid Seward claimed that Charles “snubbed” Harry because he feared he would be used as a PR tool to improve his son’s image.
Harry and the King can’t play happy families with so much public attention, says The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson
By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor
The Duke of Sussex arrived from Los Angeles alone, without Meghan or their children, for a busy schedule of events marking the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games.
Before departing California, it is understood that Harry was “looking forward” to seeing the king for the second time since his cancer diagnosis.
It is quite telling that confirmation that there will be no meeting came from the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and not Buckingham Palace.
His team states that “unfortunately it will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full program”.
They add: “The Duke, of course, understands his father’s schedule and various other priorities and looks forward to seeing him soon.”
Now, the word that stands out is “priorities”.
The king, we know, is busy returning to public service.
For example, 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 expected to host a party in the palace garden and a weekly audience with the prime minister on Wednesday.
And Harry’s diary is full for three days with Invictus. However, sometimes they will be just two miles apart and risk passing each other on London’s roads.
Some observers may see this as “sad” because father and son cannot find the time.
Others may say that it is understandable, as they both have commitments and work “priorities”.
But perhaps there was too much water under the bridge for father and son to play happy families amid so much public attention.
Despite the family drama, Prince Harry was seen beaming alongside Meghan on their three-day trip to Nigeria.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Africa for their visit on Friday and have so far danced with schoolchildren and met with local residents and officials.
This is Harry and Meghan’s first trip to Nigeria as a couple, although they did go on a royal tour to southern Africa in 2019 when they were working royals.
They stepped down from royal duties and moved across the pond in 2020 – with their departure dubbed ‘Megxit’.
During this visit to Nigeria, Meghan and Harry are expected to visit three cities in their efforts to have the country host the Invictus Games in 2029.
Inside Sussex’s trip to Nigeria
The Duke and Duchess will spend three days in Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games.
The Sussexes will be taken to a hotel when they land for the first time today, then visit the Light Academy, a school in nearby Wuse, before meeting defense leaders and visiting injured soldiers.
Tomorrow Harry will be on the field with a team during a sitting volleyball match played by Nigeria’s Invictus team, before he and Meghan meet more soldiers and their families.
That afternoon, Meghan will host a Women in Leadership event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American economist who is director general of the World Trade Organization.
Then, on Sunday, the Sussexes will attend a basketball clinic that promotes young people’s entry into the sport, enjoy a cultural reception and visit a fundraising hub.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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