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.
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. 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. 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.”
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.”
