To say King Charles III and his son, Prince Harry, enjoy a strained relationship would be a bit of an understatement as the pair remain estranged following the Duke of Sussex’s decision to quit his life as a working royal in 2020.
So, when the 39-year-old travelled back to the United Kingdom for a rare visit to London as he celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which he started with the support of Prince William and Kate Middleton, many wondered if he would see his father or not.
Prince Harry returns to UK for Invictus Games ceremony
As it transpired, they did not meet up but the reigning monarch did manage to find time to meet some soccer royalty as he had a private meeting with Manchester United and Real Madrid’s David Beckham, who owns Inter Miami in the USA.
“Beckham is understood to have visited Charles to learn more about his charity, the King’s Foundation,” PEOPLE said, adding it was a “private meeting.”
Why could they not meet each other?
Prince Harry had invited his brother and his sister-in-law to the ceremony as they are also patrons and helped start the sports event for veterans and serviceman injured in combat.
But neither of them, nor the King, attended the event.
Many fans and commentators will suggest that Prince William blocked the meeting, as the heir to his father’s throne becomes increasingly influential and has a documented feud with his brother.
So, in the case of King Charles, he was simply too busy with a full schedule.
“In response to the many inquiries,” a statement on behalf of Prince Harry read. “And continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’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.”
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