With Princess Catherine of Wales’ health condition under the spotlight, a royal expert weighs in on whether she will meet with her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, adding intrigue to the ongoing royal drama.
Princess Catherine attends a service to commemorate the life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at St. David’s Cathedral on September 8, 2023, in Wales. | Source: Getty Images
Princess Catherine of Wales, currently battling cancer, has a particular requirement before she considers a meeting with Prince Harry, said royal expert and Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward.
Princess Catherine gazing downward as she arrives at the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum on November 15, 2023, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
According to Seward, Catherine would likely accept a meeting if King Charles III were to request it. However, Seward also noted, “If the King asks, she will do it, but Charles being the sensitive and understanding soul he is, would be unlikely to ask such a favour from his adored daughter-in-law. The time must be right, and it is not right now.”
Princess Catherine and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023, in Sandringham, Norfolk. | Source: Getty Images
After announcing her diagnosis in March, Catherine asked the public for privacy while she recovers. This request came after weeks of rumors and speculation about her health.
While Catherine focused on her recovery, Prince William remained dedicated to his royal responsibilities, recently visiting the Duchy of Cornwall to support homelessness prevention with the charity Homeward. This overnight trip kept him close enough to return quickly if Catherine needed him.
Royal expert Ian Pelham noted William’s calm demeanor during the trip. “Obviously, William feels that Kate is on the mend now, and he has been very relaxed leaving London and seen in Cornwall,” said Pelham.
Prince William and Princess Catherine visiting the award-winning charity Outfit Moray on November 2, 2023, in Moray, Scotland. | Source: Getty Images
Like William’s dedication to his wife, Harry has also expressed concern for his sister-in-law. In his memoir, “Spare,” he described her as the “sister I’d never had and always wanted.”
Prince William, Princess Catherine, and Prince Harry cheering on and handing out water to runners during the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon on April 23, 2017, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Despite Harry’s desire to reconnect with Catherine, author Christopher Andersen stated that William seemed unwilling to let his brother visit his ailing wife. “There was just too much drama between the brothers and their wives, and there is lingering bitterness on everyone’s part,” Andersen explained.
Princess Catherine, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle walk on September 10, 2022, at Windsor Castle, England. | Source: Getty Images
Andersen also emphasized that the chances of a meeting between Harry and his clan, let alone reconciliation, appear very unlikely. This was evident when Harry hosted the 10th Invictus Games Foundation service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, where he received no support from the royal family.
Prince Harry at the ANZAC Service at The Cenotaph on April 25, 2016, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
However, he gained backing from relatives of his late mother, Princess Diana. Harry’s uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, attended the service, with the prince’s aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes. His cousins, George McCorquodale, Ned Spencer, and Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, also joined the occasion.
Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Charles Spencer attend The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Further emphasizing the complex family dynamics, Harry was later asked during a visit to the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters if he was “happy to be home,” but the prince simply smiled and left without directly responding.
Prince Harry waves at the crowd at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
It was revealed that Harry would not meet his father during his visit due to the King’s “full program.” “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon,” Harry’s representative said on May 7. Concurrently, Charles hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
King Charles III shakes hands with a guest during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, central London, on May 8, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester joined the King at the party.
Before the garden party and Harry’s cathedral service with his maternal relatives, Harry’s father met with Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace. This meeting sparked online discussions and some netizens viewed this as “unforgivable.”
King Charles III and the Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London, England on May 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Many voiced their disappointment with Charles prioritizing work. “That’s absolutely unforgivable, that a Dad can’t prioritize his son. King or not!!!” chastised a social media user.
King Charles III and Prince Harry attending a memorial service marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Gallipoli on the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey on April 24, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Another added, “I can’t imagine anything more important than getting to spend some time with a child that you really don’t see very often.” A Facebooker wrote, “As a parent I can’t imagine not being able to pencil my child into my schedule.”
King Charles III and Prince Harry having a conversation during the the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games in London, England on September 10, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
While conflicting schedules were cited as the reason Harry and his father didn’t meet during the prince’s recent U.K. visit, their strained relationship has been public knowledge for some time.
King Charles III and Prince Harry during the Invictus Games in London, England on September 11, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
Even when Harry had flown to London to visit the King after hearing about his cancer diagnosis, their meeting was reportedly very brief. It was reported in February 2024, that Harry opted to stay in a luxury hotel than in his royal residence.
Prince Harry at the NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks in British Columbia, Canada on November 20, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
The King’s former butler, Grant Harrold, stated that Harry had done so to show his family he could financially support himself without their help. A media outlet revealed that Grant and Charles had maintained a working relationship for seven years. At that time, Charles was still the Prince of Wales.
King Charles III and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in London, England on September 10, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
As reported by Grant, Harry opted for the hotel because he wanted to prove that he was “grown up enough to fund himself.” The King’s former butler said, “It’s strange he’s not staying at any royal residences because obviously, when they were growing up, they had rooms at Clarence House and at Highgrove.”
Prince Harry and King Charles III posing for a picture at home in Kensington Palace on October 4, 1985 | Source: Getty Images
Grant expanded on his opinion that Harry’s choice did not make sense from a security perspective. After stepping down from his royal role, news sources stipulated that the duke had been traveling with his own security team.
Prince Harry at the F1 Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on October 22, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
On this and the status of Harry’s familial relationships, Grant explained, “Obviously, it’s not the best sign if he’s staying at a hotel, because you’d have thought he’d possibly stay with his brother [Prince William] and sister-in-law [Kate Middleton] potentially, or at one of his father’s homes.”
Grant noted, “If there is an ongoing fallout between him and his brother, it’s possible that he may not have been given the offer to stay.”
Princess Catherine, Prince William, and Prince Harry at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service in London, England on December 14, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Regarding Harry’s visit, a media outlet reported that Charles was allegedly displeased as his travel plans were delayed in waiting for his son’s arrival. Apparently, the King had plans to travel to Norfolk for tranquility.
King Charles III attending the Royal Windsor Endurance event in Windsor, England on May 3, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Although many speculations surfaced concerning why Prince Harry’s visit with the King was brief, a British expert named Richard Fitzwilliams set the record straight. He mentioned that since the father-son meet-up occurred when the King had started treatment, he might have simply been tired, leading to the brevity of the meeting.