In a notable turn of events, Prince Harry rebuffed an offered olive branch from King Charles, declining an invitation to commemorate the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s passing in the company of the royal family at Balmoral. This gesture was seen as an attempt to bridge the gap between the two amidst an ongoing rift.
The Duke of Sussex made a return to the UK to attend the annual WellChild Awards, a charity event honoring the extraordinary resilience of seriously ill children across the nation. A patron of this charity for 15 years, the 38-year-old attended the award ceremony in Chelsea a day before the solemn anniversary, then proceeded to Dusseldorf for the Invictus Games.
In a curious twist, the prince found himself without accommodations, having returned the keys to Frogmore Cottage earlier this year. Consequently, he sought permission from the King’s office for a one-night stay in a royal London property during his brief UK stopover. However, no such accommodations were available due to the absence of most household staff and security, primarily engaged in the Highlands.
Amidst these circumstances, Harry was extended an invitation to join Charles and Queen Camilla for a private family gathering at Balmoral. This would have marked the first occasion for Harry to spend time with his father and stepmother since Charles’ coronation. Regrettably, due to prior commitments, Harry conveyed that such an arrangement was “impossible.” Consequently, he observed a solitary vigil, devoid of family members by his side.
The last juncture Harry shared with Charles and William dates back to King Charles’ Coronation on May 6. Subsequently, during the Queen’s funeral, the brothers, accompanied by their spouses, Kate and Meghan, congregated at Windsor Castle to pay their respects amidst a backdrop of flowers. Since the release of his autobiography earlier this year, it’s been noted that Harry and William have not engaged in communication.
Harry, no stranger to expressing his views on the royal family, reiterated his sentiments during an interview featured in Netflix’s ‘Heart of Invictus,’ a series focusing on the Invictus Games that the Prince established. Within this interview, Harry disclosed the lack of a substantial support system following the untimely demise of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 12 years old.
