I’m sorry, you’re dad to me now: Prince Harry’s father trouble

When King Charles celebrates his 75th birthday next week with a party at Clarence House, Prince Harry will not be in attendance – an annoyance that has driven a further wedge between the feuding pair. But, writes Flic Everett, behind almost every successful father, you’ll find a son with a grievance

A right royal soap opera: Charles and his youngest son, Harry (Getty)

It’s a weary trope to liken the royal household to a Greek tragedy – frankly, Zeus would laugh at the feeble concerns of the House of Windsor – but there is one similarity: both involve an estranged, angry father and an unhappy, resentful son.

This week, new brickbats were hurled between Montecito and Clarence House, with reports suggesting that King Charles was distraught not to have heard from Prince Harry regarding his imminent 75th birthday bash. For his part, Harry insisted that no invitation had been forthcoming.

And still the royal feuding rolls on. Harry and Meghan, who have declined to spend Christmas with the royal family for the past three years, are reported to have again made plans to stay in California, rather than travel to Sandringham.