King Charles pictured leaving Windsor Castle this morning (
Image: © Jim Bennett)
King Charles has broken cover and been seen leaving Windsor Castle as Prince Harry is due back in the UK with plans to meet him.
The monarch was spotted in the State Bentley leaving his Windsor residence this morning, dressed smartly in a suit and tie. Last week Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, returned to public duty by visiting a London cancer centre as well as the Royal Windsor Horse Show. This week, he is expected to have his weekly audience with the Prime Minister and could join a Buckingham Palace garden party tomorrow.
But it could be that a reunion with his estranged son Harry is also on the cards as they will both happen to be in London tomorrow. The Duke of Sussex is due to attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games, which he set up for injured servicemen and women.
King Charles and Prince Harry could meet up in London this week (
Image:
Getty Images)
Harry has had a rocky relationship with his dad, especially since he was highly critical of his royal relatives in his controversial memoir Spare – and and was particularly scathing about his stepmother Queen Camilla. But according to sources, the monarch was keen to see his son, who now lives in California.
A source said last week: “Harry has kept in regular contact with his father on several occasions and made no secret of his desire to see him when he can. He has been especially concerned about him and hopes the King will be well and able to see him as planned.”
Harry’s trip to the UK is his second to Britain this year after February’s trip to see his dad a day after it was announced Charles had cancer. Harry managed to see his ailing father for just 30 minutes at Clarence House. It marked a healing step in their relationship that was dented after Harry and Meghan quit royal life in 2020 and moved to the US. In a recent US TV interview, Harry said he hoped the King’s diagnosis can have a “reunifying effect” on the family.
Charles returned to duty last week with a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre (
Image:
PA)
However, despite potentially seeing his father, a reunion with his estranged older brother Prince William does not seem to be on the cards. An insider said: “Their relationship remains extremely fractured. Harry has privately expressed a wish to sit down with his brother but now is not the time.”
Harry is travelling to the UK without wife Meghan Markle. He will meet up with her later in the week when the pair embark on a tour of Nigeria, where they are expected to meet with military staff.
The service at St Paul’s is scheduled two days after Harry’s son Prince Archie celebrates his fifth birthday. Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service. Representatives from Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.
Meanwhile, yesterday, gun salutes celebrated the first anniversary of Charles and Camilla’s Coronation, days after the King returned to public-facing events following his cancer diagnosis.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park, next to Buckingham Palace, at noon. An hour later, the Honourable Artillery Company fired 62 volleys from Tower Wharf, next to Tower Bridge. Both regiments were involved in the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2023 and were responsible for firing the guns to signal the moment the crown touched the King’s head.
