The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has confirmed he won’t be meeting his father, King Charles III, during his UK visit due to the monarch’s busy schedule.
This perceived “snub” by the King has prompted many on social media to criticize his actions, while supporters praise Harry’s “maturity.”
The “snub” coincided with Buckingham Palace’s announcement that Prince William would take over Harry’s role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
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King Charles Will Not See Prince Harry Because He Is ‘Too Busy’
According to reports, Harry will not meet with his father during his visit to the UK despite being just two miles apart.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex stated, “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program. The Duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Charles, who recently resumed royal duties amid his cancer treatment, hosted an audience at Buckingham Palace on May 7, receiving the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka.
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Additionally, the Palace is preparing to hold its first garden party of the season on May 8, though the attendees from the royal family remain undisclosed.
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King Charles Accused Of Acting ‘Childish’ By Royal Fans After ‘Snubbing’ Prince Harry
When it was confirmed that the King and his son would not have a reunion during the Duke’s stay in the UK, royal fans took to social media to voice their opinions.
One critic of the monarch expressed disappointment, stating, “I always thought that people wanted to mend fences when their days were running short. I guess some people want to die estranged and miserable.”
Another supporter praised Harry for his maturity, stating, “Prince Harry is the ADULT in the Royal Family. He lets King Charles, a 75-year-old man, continue to play silly childish tabloid ‘SNUB’ games. Well done, Prince Harry. You are the TRUE KING of actual global [credentials] and respect.”
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A third person noted, “Given that the [Royal Family] is providing sanctuary for an alleged rapist, you’d think they would be utilizing the global popularity of H&M to improve their public image instead the self-destruction currently being played out in public.”
In an attempt to defend the King’s actions, one X user wrote: “#KingCharles has deftly taken the wind out of his son’s sails. The snub is strategic – Harry can’t flounce off to Africa BLABBING his mouth off about meeting the King and updating his condition during ANY interviews in Africa. Well played, #KingCharlesIII.”
Another individual noted, “I wouldn’t want to see my kid if he didn’t like me. Sure, there’s love there; they just don’t like each other, and there’s zero trust on Dad’s side.”
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King Charles Gives Prince Harry’s Military Role To Prince William
The royal “snub” coincided with a recent announcement by Buckingham Palace regarding military leadership.
In the statement released by the Palace, Charles will hand over Harry’s position as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his older brother, Prince William. The official handover ceremony is slated for May 13 at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop.
The Palace’s statement reads: “His Majesty The King will officially pass on the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.”
It continued: “In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”
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Royal Experts Describe King Charles’s Refusal To See Prince Harry As A ‘Royal Flea In The Ear’
In reaction to the news of King Charles’ snub, royal experts weighed in, with some noting that it shows how bad things have gotten between father and son.
Richard Fitzwilliams said,” ‘This, whatever the logistics, will be widely perceived as a snub.”
He suggested handling the situation privately, adding: “This is one of the most public rifts in the world. If it was handled in private without so much press speculation, it would have a better chance of being resolved.”
Michael Cole echoed this sentiment, describing it as “quite a snub.” He continued: “For the King to not see his younger son, Prince Harry, although the two men will be only two miles apart tomorrow afternoon, indicates the depth of the divide.”
Cole described it as a “royal flea in the ear for the fifth in line to the throne,” adding: “Even Prince Harry, never the sharpest sword in the Household Cavalry, is bound to have got the message and many people will say, “About time too.”
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Could The Waleses And The Sussexes Set Their Differences Aside?
William and Kate have been at loggerheads with Harry and Meghan after they were left feeling “betrayed” by claims made in Harry’s record-breaking memoir “Spare.”
However, a source speaking to US Weekly revealed that the Prince and Princess of Wales want a “truce” and are “open” to reconciling with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The source explained that William and Kate are considering mending their broken relationship with Harry and his wife because of their children, as they don’t want their feud to be passed on to the next generation.
The source stated, “They want a relationship with Meghan and Harry, and they don’t want the acrimony to carry over to the next generation.”
The insider added that Meghan and Harry feel the same way: “Obviously, the Duke and Duchess want their kids to have a relationship with their cousins.”