Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Charles offered the chance for Prince Harry to stay at a royal home on his UK return – and this would have made a meet-up between the pair possible, according to friends of the monarch.
The Duke of Sussex landed in England on Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a competition he co-founded for wounded and injured service personnel, both serving and veteran.
A spokesman for Harry said he was unable to meet with his father – who is undergoing treatment for cancer – due to his “full programme”, adding that he “hopes to see him soon”.
Sources close to Harry, 39, suggested the Royal Family had been made aware of his trip home well in advance. He is believed to have stayed in a hotel during the three-day visit.
Friends of the King, 75, told The Sunday Times he agreed for his youngest son to stay at a royal address which would have made a meet up easier.
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They also addressed reports claiming the monarch had “refused” to find time in his schedule.
One said: “While he was hardly going to roll out the red carpet the moment this Invictus trip was announced, with doctors advising him to focus on his treatment and recovery, the idea that he refused to find space in his diary…well, let’s say recollections may vary once again.”
Harry was cheered by crowds as he entered St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday before giving a speech to mark a decade of Invictus.
At the same time, the King was meeting with members of the public at a Buckingham Palace garden party around two miles away.
Meghan Markle stayed in California with children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, before jetting with Harry to Nigeria on Friday.
The Sussexes are on a three-day visit to the West African nation to meet with wounded soldiers and visit local charities as part of their Invictus Games preparation.
They landed in Abuja before going on a tour of Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital city.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry as been approached for comment.