King Charles and Prince Harry's 'diary' clash revealed - as William chosen to lead brother's old regiment
The Duke of Sussex has arrived in the UK for a series of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, including a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral, but he won't see his father the King.
Thursday 9 May 2024 07:14, UK
The King and Prince Harry won't meet up on Wednesday during the Duke of Sussex's trip to the UK due to a timetable clash between a royal garden party and an Invictus Games event.
Harry is in London this week, celebrating 10 years of the Invictus Games.
Since his trip from California was announced, there was press speculation over whether he would spend time with his father amid ongoing tensions between the self-exiled prince and the rest of the Royal Family.
However, a spokesperson for the duke said on Tuesday there would be no meeting because the King was too busy.
This comes about because of a diary clash between the two.
The King, who is thought to have been receiving cancer treatment as an outpatient this week, has been hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace today.
The monarch was joined by the Queen as he met with guests on one of the warmest days of the year so far.
He was also joined by the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The King attended three events last week as he resumed engagements, indicating the positive effect of his treatment.
He is due to meet military staff and their families at a training base for the Army's Royal Engineers on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has arrived at St Paul's Cathedral for a service to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Harry joined a congregation of around a thousand people inside the London landmark where he is due to give a bible reading.
Among the guests are Princess Diana's siblings Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer, and former Army officer Mark Dyer, who acted as the duke's mentor, playing the role of a supportive big brother figure for Harry after Diana's death.
Crowds had gathered around crash barriers to see the duke's car pull up, and there was a large number of journalists, photographers and cameramen covering his every move.
It comes after Harry spent Tuesday attending a London summit that reflected on the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which stages sporting events for wounded, sick or injured veterans or serving military to aid their recovery.
Harry 'understanding of father's diary of commitments'
The duke's spokesperson released a statement on Tuesday saying: "In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, 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."
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It comes as the King is set to make Prince William Colonel-in-Chief of Harry's old regiment, the Army Air Corps.
The role was previously held by the King for 31 years during his time as Prince of Wales, and will be handed down on Monday 13 May.
Harry was attached to the regiment for his second tour of Afghanistan between September 2012 and January 2013, working as an Apache pilot.
Harry's claim that King has 'other priorities' doesn't bode well
I'd just recorded a prearranged interview with the chief executive of the Invictus Games when an unexpected guest arrived at the Invictus conference.
With his arm propped up against the car window to hide his face, Prince Harry was back, a day earlier than most of us had thought.
The duke's spokesperson said the King was too busy for a catch-up with his son.
But another phrase stood out even more, as the spokesperson added that Harry understands his father has "other priorities".
Now it's easy to read too much into a couple of words, but at a time when we're looking for any signs of reconciliation it doesn't read well if a son, who spends most of his time in America now, is suggesting his father is prioritising other things over him.
He spent three-and-a-half years with the Army Air Corps, in training and in service. William flew helicopters with the Royal Air Force.
The King only returned to public duties last week for the first time since his cancer diagnosis.
Buckingham Palace has said the King's diary will be carefully managed to avoid any unnecessary risks to his health.
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Tap hereThe palace also said it wouldn't comment on matters relating to Harry.
Yesterday, a Sky News camera captured Prince Harry arriving at the Honourable Artillery Company's headquarters on the edge of the City of London for a one-day summit, called the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation.
Following his visit to Britain, Harry will be joined by his wife Meghan for a trip to Nigeria.