Harry and King Charles ‘won’t rule out another meeting’ after Prince flew across the Atlantic to see cancer-stricken father

7 February 2024, 11:21

King Charles and Prince Harry enjoyed a ‘warm’ catch-up
King Charles and Prince Harry enjoyed a ‘warm’ catch-up. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Prince Harry and King Charles could meet again after the pair spent 30 minutes talking together in their first face-to-face meeting for 16 months.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Harry flew 5,000 miles from the US to speak to his father after his cancer diagnosis.

And while Royal commentators have today said Harry’s trip to see his father raises hopes of healing the family rift, the chances of reconciliation between Harry and William’s ‘incredibly broken’ relationship are slim.

Harry is unlikely to visit his sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, during his trip to the UK after her illness - due to his rift with William.

According to the Telegraph, another visit by Harry to see his father than have not been ruled out.

Harry will not visit his older brother while staying in London, it is understood.

King Charles delayed his helicopter which was headed for Sandringham in order to catch up with his son, Prince Harry, for the first time since the monarch's cancer diagnosis.

The Duke of Sussex rushed back to the UK on Monday evening after learning of his father's illness.

He travelled alone, with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie and Lilibet, back at home in California.

The pair, whose relationship has been somewhat testy in recent years, are said to have had a ‘warm’ 45-minute meeting at Clarence House in London before Charles headed for Sandringham.

A smiling King Charles is seen leaving Clarence House
A smiling King Charles is seen leaving Clarence House. Picture: Alamy
King Charles departed Buckingham Palace in a helicopter, following his cancer diagnosis, announced via a statement yesterday
King Charles departed Buckingham Palace in a helicopter, following his cancer diagnosis, announced via a statement yesterday. Picture: Alamy

It is the first time the pair have met face-to-face since Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, although Harry did attend his father's Coronation in 2023 and they have spoken over the phone.

Charles was pictured leaving shortly after the meeting, and was seen smiling and waving to photographers and well-wishers.

Read More: King Charles ‘desperate’ for 'regretful' Harry to come ‘back into the fold’ but William won’t allow it, royal author says

Read More: Harry appears sombre as he arrives at Clarence House to be at father King Charles' side amid shock cancer diagnosis

It is the first time the King has been seen since his cancer diagnosis was revealed by Buckingham Palace on Monday evening.

The Palace has not disclosed what form of cancer the monarch has, nor what treatment he is receiving.

But he is said to be doing well, with one source telling The Sun that you 'wouldn't know something was wrong' if you didn't know him.

Royal expert explains why Harry and Meghan's 'American media life' is failing

There had been hopes Harry's dashing return to the UK to be with his father could spark a royal reconciliation between him and William.

However, there are 'no plans' for the pair to see each other during Harry's trip to the UK.

Prince William is said to be focused solely on his wife, Kate, as she continues to recover from her abdominal surgery.

The future King is expected to take on more public duties as his father and wife recover from their respective illnesses, starting tomorrow with an investiture in London.

'House of Windsor' needs Harry back in the fold, royal author tells LBC

According to one royal author, the illnesses of Charles and Kate reveal a weakness with the King's plan to have a more slimmed-down monarchy.

She even suggested Charles would be more than happy to welcome Prince Harry back into the fold.

Tina Brown, former Vanity Fair editor and author of 'The Palace Papers', told LBC's Andrew Marr: “I think what we’re seeing at the moment is the smaller and smaller line-up for the so-called firm, it’s a tiny boutique with hardly anyone to play

“They’ve needed him for quite a time. 

“The problem is there’s no way in the world that William wants Harry back or feels comfortable with Harry coming back, and how they work that out is going to be painful. 

“House of Windsor needs Harry."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A selection of credit cards in a fan.

Almost 20,000 Civil Service credit cards to be frozen in government plans to halve number of cards and cut spending

MPs have been urged to support moves to ban smacking and other forms of physical punishment against children in England.

Ministers urged to back law change which will see smacking children to punish them banned

Polling station at Deptford Park School.

Russian networks tried to disrupt UK election but did not cause ‘notable’ impact, security minister says

IKEA store in Vilnius, Lithuania

Russian spies accused of firebombing Ikea store ‘because colours are the same as the Ukraine flag’

Facial recognition will be used to help passengers skip passport queues at ports.

British travellers arriving back in UK could 'avoid passport queues' with new facial recognition technology

The White House said Trump is ‘determined’ to get a peace deal in Ukraine over the line, as the US president gears up for talks for Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

‘We’ve never been closer to a peace deal’ in Ukraine, says White House ahead of Trump-Putin talks

A prison officer walks down the C wing at Wandsworth prison.

Number of prisoners reaches six-month high, despite thousands being released early to ease overcrowding

Richard Burrows, 80, was found guilty of 54 offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday, including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child.

Paedophile scout leader who spent 27 years on the run found guilty of dozens child sex abuse crimes

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as Us attacks on Houthis continue

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as US attacks on Houthis continue

Owen Cooper (l) and Stephen Graham (r) star in Adolescence

Revealed: Secret behind incredible camera shot in Netflix's new 'masterpiece' Adolescence

Drag star The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, their family said today

Drag star The Vivienne died from cardiac arrest caused by taking ketamine, family say

Irish professional mixed martial artist and businessman Conor McGregor visited the White House on Monday.

‘He doesn’t reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day’: Row erupts after Conor McGregor appears in The White House

`

Man who shouted 'Die, die, die' while stabbing man in quiet street in broad daylight sentenced to life

Harry Purcell, 17, Matilda 'Tilly' Seccombe, 16, and Frank Wormald, 16 died in the crash

Teen driver who killed three friends, aged 16 and 17, in crash on way home from school faces years in prison

Princess Kate enjoyed a Guinness as she joined soldiers in the cookhouse

Princess of Ales! Kate buys a round for the Irish Guards at St Patrick’s Day parade

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Trump to speak with Putin tomorrow as Starmer says 30 countries will sign up to peacekeeping plan