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Prince Harry and King Charles III’s estranged relationship is so fractured it can be measured in numbers—16 months without speaking, one cancer diagnosis, 8000 kilometres travelled and 30 minutes to reconnect.
Indeed, the former Duke of Sussex spent a mere half an hour with his ill father after flying to London from Los Angeles in light of his declining health. The English monarch shared news of his condition earlier in the week, where the Californian-based royal reportedly jumped on the first flight back to his home country to pay a visit to his father. The former senior role flew solo without his wife Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry reportedly spent no time with homecoming festivities, instead travelling directly to his father’s side where he was being treated for an unknown cancer and recovering from surgery on his enlarged prostate. They say time heals all wounds, but it’s been claimed that Prince Harry and King Charles only spent 30 minutes mending their splintered paternal bond.
Sources have alleged the 75-year-old delayed the helicopter taking him to his country estate of Sandringham to ensure he could reunite with his youngest son. It was the first time the pair met face-to-face in over a year. (Yes, Prince Harry attended his father’s coronation in May 2023, but the pair didn’t connect at the ceremony.)
The self-proclaimed “Spare” didn’t tour his other relatives, including his brother Prince William or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton. (The latter is currently recovering from a planned abdominal surgery.)
Speaking to the press, a royal source allegedly claimed King Charles was “very fastidious about timekeeping but it was significant that he delayed the flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting.” The insider added: “After all, the Duke of Sussex had flown all the way from California at short notice and he accepted the gesture. There is cause for optimism.”
Prince Harry spent only 24 hours back in his former place of residence. He didn’t stay at any residences owned by the royal family, with the father-of-two reported to have booked a room at a “luxury London hotel”. 76 Dean Street, perhaps? (As you’ll recall, Prince Harry and Markle had their first date at this specific SoHo House property and spent a large portion of their early relationship in the 18th-century townhouse.)
As for what’s to come for Prince Harry and his family? Perhaps an hour-long meeting next. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder.
