When Prince Harry arrived in London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games Foundation last week, there was hope that a family reunion of sorts might be on the cards. But just hours later, he was forced to admit that King Charles was too busy to meet with him.
A statement was swiftly issued from Harry’s camp, stating frostily, “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program.”
It added, “The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams reacted to the news, saying, “This, whatever the logistics, will be widely perceived as a snub.”
Amid what is another example of the increasing distance between Harry and his father, Woman’s Day has learned the California-based royal is also “desperate” to negotiate a face-to-face talk with his sister-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
WAKE-UP CALL
Harry hasn’t spoken to the Princess of Wales since she revealed she was battling an undisclosed cancer in a devastating video that shocked the world.
“Harry is racked with guilt,” says a longtime friend. “He’s desperate to see Kate. He wants a chance to make amends and tell her how sorry he is. He has a deep need to explain himself – before
it’s too late.”
“Don’t underestimate how much Kate’s diagnosis has hit Harry,” adds the friend. “He’s extremely worried about her… it keeps him awake at night.
“Harry means it when he says he never meant to hurt her and feels things were twisted into something they weren’t. Whatever happens with him and William, he never wanted her to be caught in the crossfire. And now, not knowing what’s going on or when or even if she’ll be able to return to public duty, he’s completely in the dark. And very frightened for her.”
But while Harry, 39, was said to have done his best to arrange a meeting during his visit to London, even turning up at the palace, insiders say, “There was not a chance in hell William would let him near his family and wife.”
BARRED FROM KATE
“Harry knows going through William to get to Kate is not an option, his only hope was to ask Charles, but with him unable to see him too, he feels he’s missed his chance to get a message to Kate,” adds the source. “Harry can’t bear for Kate to be going through this thinking he’s a source of hurt and harm to her. He wants to fix things between them.”
Last week, royal expert and author Tom Quinn said he believes Kate is agreeable to a “family meeting”, especially since Harry’s wife Meghan, 42, wasn’t in the UK.
“William hates the idea of meeting Harry again,” says Tom. “For Kate it’s different. She finds the idea of meeting Harry far less awkward, just as long as Meghan isn’t around.”
But despite all that, it’s highly unlikely Kate will be meeting Harry anytime soon.
“Putting the right spin on Harry’s ‘sorrys’ is not going to change the fact he sold them out or that he crossed an uncrossable line when he attacked Kate. She’s certainly in no rush to see him again, not until things are completely patched up between him and William – and that doesn’t look very likely!”
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