The prince jetted all the way from California for a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games Wednesday afternoon.
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Harry left the service at 6.45pm – just as Charles wrapped up the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.
A spokesperson for Harry said the prince will not meet Charles on his whistle-stop UK tour – because the King is too busy.
Royal expert Robert Jobson claims to know the real reason why they won’t meet.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “People think if Harry rolls into town there’s going to be some sort of reconciliation.
“But you’re going to realize there’s been a lot of water under the bridge, a lot of portrayal of trust.
“That takes time to rebuild, to rebuild, and I don’t think we’re anywhere near the stage of rebuilding trust.
He added: “Harry effectively took it by himself to come see his dad when he said that he that he had been diagnosed with cancer that would be seen by as many as a good thing.
“But at the time I think the King didn’t want all the media circus that would accompany Harry’s arrival.”
It comes after royal author Ingrid Seward claimed Charles “snubbed” Harry as he feared he’d be used as a PR tool to boost his son’s image.
She explained: “He’s the father of Harry. It would look nice if they met.
“He probably he doesn’t want it to be used as a PR opportunity.
“Or maybe Harry’s being the one being difficult and we we just don’t know.”
On Wednesday the duke cut a lonely figure at his glitzy bash while Charles greeted well-wishers two miles away.
Harry’s spokesperson 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.”
In a second snub, Charles revealed Prince William will take charge of Harry’s former helicopter regiment next week.
Harry & the King can’t play happy families with such huge public attention, says The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson
By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor
Prince Harry is in London but he won’t meet his father The King.
The Duke of Sussex arrived from LA alone without Meghan or their children for a busy diary of events marking 10 years of his Invictus Games.
Before setting off from California it is understood Harry was said to have been “keen’ to see the King for only the second time since his cancer diagnosis.
It is rather telling that confirmation there will be no meeting has come from the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex rather than Buckingham Palace.
His team say “it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program”.
They add: “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Now, the word that jumps out is “priorities”.
The King, we understand, is busy as he returns to public duty.
For instance, on Tuesday while Harry was in London the King was carrying out his constitutional duty and meeting the Prime Minister of Fiji at the palace.
He is also set to host a palace garden party and weekly audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
And Harry’s diary is packed full for three days with Invictus. However, they will be at times just two miles apart and risk even driving past each other on London’s roads.
Some observers may see this as “sad” that father and son cannot find time.
Others may say that it’s understandable as both have work commitments and “priorities”.
But maybe there has just been too much water under the bridge for father and son to play happy families amid such huge public attention.
Insiders claim Harry made multiple attempts to arrange a meeting with his dad before flying 5,000 miles for three days in the UK.
Harry flew to the UK alone without Meghan or their children Archie and Lilibet.
But Meghan will join Harry on his visit to Nigeria later this week, it’s understood.
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