It was a message that shocked fans of the British royal family. On 5 February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III would continue to be out of action following his benign prostate operation. The statement read:
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His majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, his majesty will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.
Prince Harry visited his father earlier this year
Before his battle with illness was revealed to the world, the 75-year-old monarch took the time to personally inform his two sons of his condition. Prince Harry, who lives thousands of miles away in California, was informed by telephone. Without missing a beat, the Duke of Sussex boarded the first plane to check on his father.
While some were hoping for reconciliation between Meghan Markle's husband and those formerly close to him, the meeting with the King unfortunately only lasted about 45 minutes. According to Page Six, King Charles III's entourage no longer trusted Prince William's brother, and were afraid they would no longer be able to 'get rid' of him after his surprise visit to London. Not that the author of Spare was discouraged. Travelling to Canada a few days after his brief reunion with his father, he declared in a television interview:
Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.
As he is expected to return to the UK on 8 May for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Prince Harry will no doubt hear his father's desperate plea.
King Charles should extend an invitation
While those close to King Charles are doing everything they can to protect him from his youngest son, the monarch is believed to want to arrange a meeting. The monarch is said to want a chance to get to know his grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. According to a well-informed yet anonymous source, the King is planning to invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for a big family reunion. A source told Page Six:
I can see Charles desperately wanting to see the children, and extending this olive branch to Meghan and Harry. He may decide that life is just too short. Balmoral is truly the perfect, restful place for a reunion. If he does issue an invite, then Harry and Meghan should surely agree to the visit.
The former American actress may prove more difficult to convince, but the Duke of Sussex is said to be on the same wavelength as his father. The hand is outstretched, all that remains is to seize it.
This article has been translated from Voici.
Read more:
⋙ Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet: Why has their surname changed to Sussex?
⋙ Will Prince Harry and Meghan bring Archie and Lilibet to the UK in 2024? Expert shares thoughts
Sources used:
Page Six: King Charles may invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Balmoral this summer: royal source
The Guardian: King Charles diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace announces
Vanity Fair: Prince Harry Declares “I Love My Family” After Quick Reunion With His Father
