The King’s cancer diagnosis could see a ‘positive future emerge’ between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, a royal expert has claimed.
Prince Harry, 39, is flying from California to London to reunite with his father following the news – but his wife Meghan Markle and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, will not be joining him, a source revealed.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told FEMAIL that the difficult time could potentially heal the rift between the warring brothers, but said that it’s ‘wise’ for Harry to travel to the UK alone to make the first steps towards reconciliation after a ‘serious rift’ in the family.
He said: ‘Sometimes benefits can come from difficult times and situations we would never wish on anyone.
The King’s cancer diagnosis could see a ‘positive future emerge’ between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Prince and Princess of Wales, a royal expert has claimed. Pictured, Harry and William in 2018
‘The news that King Charles has cancer is a severe shock. It is only natural that Harry should want to be with him. It is also wise that he comes alone as there is a serious rift within the royal family.
‘Harry will, despite all the disagreements of past years, naturally want to wish his father a speedy recovery in person.
‘Let us hope that from this meeting, at a very difficult time for the royal family with the Princess of Wales recovering from an abdominal surgery, a positive future, which would obviously include Meghan, emerges.
‘This might be difficult, as their differences have been so in the public domain, but would benefit everyone involved enormously.
‘The main issue for the moment is obviously that of the King’s health, everyone knows how serious cancer can be and will wish this remarkable monarch, who waited longer than any other Prince of Wales to succeed to the throne, a speedy and complete recovery.’
Charles, 75, contacted both of his sons personally to tell them of his cancer diagnosis, before it was announced by Buckingham Palace on Monday.
Harry will clear his diary and travel from his home in California, with the move likely to raise concerns about the seriousness of the King’s condition.
The trip will be a solo one, with the Duchess of Sussex staying in the US with the couple’s two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
‘The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis. He will be traveling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days,’ the source said.
Above: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service with his wife Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday
The decision will also raise hopes of a reconciliation within the royal family. Harry has a troubled relationship with his father, although they are still in contact, but his long-running rift with the Prince of Wales remains ongoing.
Charles, according to Harry, pleaded with his sons during a tense meeting after the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral: ‘Please, boys. Don’t make my final years a misery.’
Harry and Meghan wanted a half in-half out approach to royal life, but in the end quit as senior working royals amid the Megxit crisis in 2020.
In their primetime Oprah interview in 2021, they went on to accuse an unnamed royal – later claimed to be two royals – of making a racist comment about what skin colour their son Archie would have before he was born.
Harry also said Charles stopped taking his calls when he was trying to discuss stepping down as a working royal.
‘My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don’t get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that,’ Harry told Winfrey.
Allegations continued in the Sussexes’ Netflix documentary and Harry’s memoir Spare – both released in the months that followed the late Queen’s death and at the start of Charles’s reign.
Harry claimed his brother William physically attacked him and that the King put his own interests above Harry’s, and was jealous of Meghan and the Princess of Wales.
He also said Charles did not hug him when he told him his mother Diana, Princess of Wales had died, and that he believed the King was ‘never made’ for single parenthood, but ‘to be fair, he tried’.
Harry also attacked the reputation of his stepmother the Queen, saying Camilla’s willingness to forge relationships with the British press made her ‘dangerous’ and he criticised her attempts to rehabilitate her ‘image’ at his cost, during a series of interviews to promote his book.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer’
When he was discharged from hospital last Monday, the King appeared steady on his feet as he walked out of the London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side
Harry was last seen alongside the royal family at the King’s coronation in May, but the trip was a whirlwind one with the duke leaving immediately after to return to the US on what was Archie’s fourth birthday.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said she hoped that King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis ‘will bring a reconciliation’ with Prince Harry.
Harry’s estranged brother William is also in close contact with his father. The heir to the throne returns to public duties this week after supporting his wife, the Princess of Wales, at home as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
He may also undertake some duties on behalf of his father, in addition to his own diary of engagements, while the King undergoes treatment.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.
‘He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’
The King also apologised for having to postpone his upcoming engagements.
A spokesman added: ‘Regrettably, a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed.
‘His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence.’
KING’S CANCER DIAGNOSIS: THE ROYAL FAMILY’S RECENT HEALTH SCARES
The King’s cancer diagnosis is the latest shock health news to hit the royal family.
– Tuesday January 16
Kate, 42, is secretly admitted to the London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.
– Wednesday January 17
2pm – Kensington Palace announces the princess’ operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.
She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.
The Prince of Wales steps back from his official duties temporarily to care of his wife and children.
The exact nature of Kate’s condition is kept private, but it is not cancerous and Kensington Palace says the planned procedure was successful.
3.25pm – Buckingham Palace announces the King, 75, is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate and will be admitted to hospital in a few days.
A source later says the princess is “doing well”.
– Thursday January 18
The Prince of Wales spends time at his wife’s bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.
The Queen says the King is “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work” during a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery.
– Friday January 19
The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen and heads to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk to rest ahead of the procedure.
– Sunday January 21
It is announced that the King’s former sister-in-law, Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a form skin cancer.
It is less than a year since the duchess, 64, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
– Monday January 22
The Queen tells 86-year-old well-wisher Jessie Jackson that the King is ‘fine’, and thanks her for asking, while she carries out engagements in Swindon.
Sarah, Duchess of York, meanwhile, describes her shock at having skin cancer but says she is in “good spirits” and “grateful for the many messages of love and support”, in a post on Instagram.
– Tuesday January 23
Kate’s hospital stay passes the one-week mark.
Camilla urges the King to take it easy. An insider told The Sun: “The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.”
– Thursday January 25
The King carried out behind the scenes official duties, meeting academics from Cambridge University at Sandringham House.
The King arrives back in London from Norfolk ready for his treatment.
– Friday January 26
The King, with the Queen at his side, is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate and also visits the Princess of Wales, who is recovering in the same hospital.
– Monday January 29
The King is discharged from hospital and waves at well-wishers. Kate leaves the clinic the same day to continue her recovery at home.
– Wednesday January 31
Camilla says the King is “getting on, doing his best” as she opened a Maggie’s cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
– Sunday February 4
The King and Queen attend church in Sandringham, with Charles waving at well-wishers.
– Monday February 5
Kensington Palace confirms the Prince of Wales is returning to official duties this week, beginning with an investiture.
6pm – Buckingham Palace announces the King has a form of cancer – but not prostate cancer – and has started treatment as an outpatient.
He will not carry out public-facing duties, but will carry on with behind the scenes state business and official papers.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-13048685/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-King-Charles-rift.html
