Royal news - live: Prince Harry says King ‘too busy’ to meet as he arrives in UK without Meghan for Invictus ceremony
Prince Harry last visited following King Charles’s cancer diagnosis
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Prince Harry will not meet King Charles during his visit to the UK, The Independent understands.
The Duke of Sussex arrived back in the UK this afternoon (7 May) to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The Duke, 39, was not accompanied by his wife Meghan Markle, 42, or their children, Archie and Lilibet. It is also understood that none of Harry’s immediate family will attend the ceremony tomorrow.
The fifth in line to the throne has not been in the country since February when he met with the King for a flying visit following the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.
Harry is scheduled to give a speech on Wednesday (8 May) to mark the anniversary of the games he founded in 2014 at a thanksgiving ceremony in St Paul’s Cathedral.
His arrival was announced by royal editor Chris Ship on Twitter (X), who revealed Harry will also be attending some Invictus-related events today.
A spokesperson for the Duke said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
The Prince’s return comes amid a tumultuous time for the royal family, who have been plagued by health troubles this year.
Royal expert says Prince Harry should be ‘guest of honour'
A royal expert has said Prince Harry should be a “guest of honour” as he returns to the UK for the first time since February.
Mark Dolan said the Prince’s visit, which is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, presents an opportunity for the family to “find a way back for Harry”.
The royal expert believes that the Prince’s strained relationship with his family could begin to be repaired if they make him a “guest of honour” on this week’s trip.
“In families as in friendships, I think you should have forgiveness. I think Harry should be staying at Buckingham Palace,” Dolan said.
“He should be a guest of honour. He should have more than a blink and you will miss it with his father, who let’s not forget is battling cancer.”
Prince Harry’s US visa under review
Prince Harry’s return to the UK comes amid an ongoing review of his US visa following revelations about past drug use in his 2023 memoir Spare.
An investigation was launched by a think tank group after the Prince, 39, admitted to using a range of substances, some as recently as 2016.
His application is now being reviewed in private to ascertain whether or not he lied about his usage.
Following the private review, a decision will be taken about whether or not to make the documents public.
Harry wrote: “Psychedelics did me some good as well. I’d experimented with them over the years, for fun, but now I’d begun to use them therapeutically, medicinally. They didn’t simply allow me to escape reality for a while.”
Sarah Ferguson “thriving”after getting the all clear from cancer
Sarah Ferguson is said to be “thriving” after finally getting the all-clear from cancer.
The Duchess of York, 64, shared her good news via her daughter, Princess Beatrice, 35, who praised her mum today (7 May) on this morning for the resilience she showed during her cancer battle.
“She’s such a phenomenal icon. As a mum, she’s been amazing. She’s been through so much and her sense of purpose and resilience really keeps me going,” Beatrice said.
Fergie was diagnosed with skin cancer after undergoing reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy to treat the breast cancer she was diagnosed with last summer.
Announcing her second cancer diagnosis in January, she thanked the public for their well wishes and said she remained in “good spirits”.
“Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
Harry and Meghan’s good wishes for Kate
The Duke of Sussex has never made a secret of his disdain for the press and this was reflected in the statement he and Meghan Markle issued after Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis.
“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” the couple said.
According to reports, despite living in California, when Prince Harry learned of the King’s cancer diagnosis, he immediately jumped on a plane to visit his father.
“I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could,” Harry told Good Morning America at the time. “I love my family.”
Prince Harry will not stay at Buckingham Palace on trip
Prince Harry will stay at a hotel when he returns to the UK and not a royal residence despite being fifth in line to the throne.
This has been customary for the Duke of Sussex since he stepped down as a senior working royal with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020.
The Prince’s last official residence was Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
Following the couple’s decision to step down as working royals, they repaid the £2.5m of public funds spent on its renovation.
The annual Sovereign Grant report from 2023 showed that the property remains vacant.
Prince Harry’s first visit since Kate’s cancer diagnosis
Prince Harry’s imminent return to the UK will be his first time stepping on British soil since Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis in March.
It is not known whether Harry, 39, who was previously close to the Princess of Wales, 42, has plans to meet her on this trip, but royal expert Ingrid Seward said it is “unlikely”.
“If the King asks, she will do it,” Seward told The Mirror, “but Charles being the sensitive and understanding soul he is, would be unlikely to ask such a favor from his adored daughter-in-law.
“The time must be right, and it is not right now.”
Seward also said that a meeting with his estranged brother would likely be the last thing Prince William, 41, wants at this difficult time for his family.
“William has enough going on and doesn’t need the stress,” the royal expert said. “But he might realise Harry will want to see Kate after her cancer diagnosis as they were once so close.”
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