Why Harry won't meet William on UK visit - but will see Charles face to face
Prince Harry will return to the UK on Wednesday, 8 May for the 10-year anniversary service of the Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral. Despite this celebration, no other members of the Royal Family, or Meghan Markle, will be present to mark the occasion.
The Mirror reports that while the Duke of Sussex will manage to fit in a meeting with his father on his return to London, he is not expected to see his brother, the Prince of Wales, despite wishing to, as "now is not the time.”
A source told the publication: "Their relationship remains extremely fractured. Harry has privately expressed a wish to sit down with his brother but now is not the time.”
Harry last saw The King for less than 30 minutes at Clarence House back in February when the monarch's cancer announcement was made public.
A source told the paper: “Harry has kept in regular contact with his father on several occasions and made no secret of his desire to see him when he can. He has been especially concerned about him and hopes the King will be well and able to see him as planned.”
Prince Harry's solo return to Britain will start on Tuesday, 7 May - the day after his son, Prince Archie, celebrates his fifth birthday - and will come to a close on Thursday when Harry flies to Nigeria to meet up with Meghan.
During the couple's trip to Nigeria, they are expected to meet military staff during the trip, which is linked to the Invictus Games. It is their first trip to the African nation, which holds a special place in Meghan’s heart having revealed last year that she is “43% Nigerian”.
Meghan has not travelled to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's death - with it previously being said that she would stay at home with the couple's young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, on previous occasions where Harry has arrived alone. This decision, an expert points out, is the "clearest indication yet" that Meghan wants very little to do with the UK.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: "I’m afraid this does seem to be the clearest indication yet that Meghan really doesn’t want to return to the UK. I suppose it’s not surprising because there would be a huge amount of doubt about what kind of reception she would get. But it is sad."
On Meghan's decision to travel to Nigeria, Jennie adds: "The fact that she is going to Nigeria completely negates the argument that it is the issue of security that is keeping her away. They will obviously be given official security in Nigeria, but they would almost certainly be given security here on a similarly official engagement. And few people would argue that Nigeria is a safer place than the UK.
"So the only conclusion we can draw is that Meghan has absolutely no desire to set foot in the UK again. It must be sad for Harry who has made it clear that he loves his family here, and wants his children to know and understand their heritage."
Despite being Harry's greatest supporter and joining him at almost every Invictus event since they met, Meghan's absence will be noted, Jennie says.
"Meghan has been at his side for so much of the Invictus story and it must hold a special place in their hearts because it was at the games that they made their first public appearance together. If she can travel to the Netherlands for the games, why can’t she attend such an important milestone as the 10th anniversary service at St Paul's?
"It’s not because of leaving the children – because she’s going to Nigeria. And it can’t be because of security – because she’s going to Nigeria. So we are left with the one conclusion. She doesn’t want to come to the UK. It’s a dilemma for Harry, and it’s not going to go away."
