Following a confirmation from a spokesperson for Prince Harry that the Duke of Sussex wouldn’t be meeting his father, King Charles, due to His Majesty’s “full” schedule, the king found time to convene with David Beckham.
A source reported that King Charles and the retired professional soccer player held a “private meeting” on Friday to delve into the affairs of the King’s Foundation, the monarch’s charity initiative.
In anticipation of his visit to Nigeria alongside his wife Meghan Markle, Harry returned to London earlier this week, albeit without Markle.
On Tuesday, the prince participated in a panel discussion commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The discussion, “The IGF Conversation: Realizing a Global Community,” aimed to highlight service personnel and their families.
The following day, the Duke of Sussex made an appearance at St. Paul’s Cathedral to participate in a service commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Meanwhile, on the same day, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted thousands of guests at Buckingham Palace for the inaugural garden party of 2024, a cherished tradition dating back to the 1860s.
Among the attendees were other members of the royal family such as Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry had previously affirmed that the prince would not be meeting with his father during his stay in London.
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme,” the statement said.
“The Duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Shortly after receiving news of his inability to meet with his father, Buckingham Palace revealed on Wednesday that Prince William, Harry’s brother, would be appointed as colonel in chief of the Army Air Corps.
The announcement comes as the Prince of Wales prepares to take over from King Charles III as the head of the regiment.
“It is one slap in the face after another for Harry,” royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital about the announcement, which some U.K. outlets have described as another “snub” for the prince.
“I think this is a mistake,” said Pelham Turner about the king not choosing to meet with his son ahead of the bombshell news.
“Patronizing reasons like Harry might spill the beans on a conversation in any future book … are not justified and will only add petrol to the flames. Charles … [was] touchy feeling, holding hands with cancer victims but cannot stretch out to his son.”
“Taking away another military regiment … means nothing to the British public,” Pelham Turner said.
“But it does to Harry. [It’s] the regiment he served in until 2014. Giving it to William will only further highlight the churlish divisions and not show a forgiving nature…. On a day when Harry is at an event to celebrate the Invictus Games … I wonder what the recipients … think of the betrayal.”
