Prince Harry is expected to reunite with his father King Charles in London next week – when the pair have scheduled events just two miles apart.
The Duke of Sussex will attend an Invictus Games 10th anniversary celebration at St Paul’s Cathedral, and plans to meet Charles on the same day – but Prince William is not likely to be part of any reunion.
They last saw each other in person back in February, when Prince Harry flew to be by the monarch’s side just days after his shock cancer diagnosis.
King Charles, 75, will likely be at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year next Wednesday, May 8 – and the event will finish around the same time as his youngest son’s Invictus Games event.
A royal source told The Sun: “Harry is normally 5,000 miles away in California but by happy coincidence on Wednesday they will be just two miles apart. It’s clear he is keen to see his father as he continues his recovery and most people expect another reunion of some kind next week.”
Meghan Markle is not expected to join Prince Harry in the UK, and is instead likely to fly straight to Nigeria, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex set to make a joint visit to the African nation for talks over the Invictus Games. The exact date of their visit has not yet been disclosed by Nigerian defence spokesman Brigadier General Tukur Gusau.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, former head of royal protection Dai Davies commented on the apparent hypocrisy of the visit to one of the world’s most dangerous countries, given that he often comments on the UK being unsafe to visit with his children. He said: “It’s strange that he personifies the risk factors here and is willing to go to one of the world’s most dangerous countries.”
As well as higlighting the Global Peace Index’s measure of safety, security, conflict and militarisation around the world, which places Nigeria 144th out of 163 countries, Mr Davies added: “I would want to know the rationale for this visit to what is a very dangerous place.”
Asked how a visit to Nigeria would impact Harry’s wish for improved security in the UK, Mr Davies said: “I’m sure if a risk from various sources and intelligence becomes apparent then he’ll get it. When he visited his father here there was close liaison between the Met and Harry’s security.”
It comes after a royal expert speculated that King Charles would want Queen Camilla by his side at any reunion with Prince Harry – but it is not known whether this will feasible for the visit next Wednesday.
Royal commentator Tom Quinn told the Mirror: “It’s going to be very difficult for Prince Harry to come to the UK and not visit his stricken father, King Charles.”
He added: “When the two meet it will almost certainly be a longer meeting than last time when father and son spent just 30 minutes together, but Camilla is likely to be there simply because she feels so protective of her husband and won’t want him to be upset at such a difficult time.
“Also, despite much that has been written, Camila is exceptionally diplomatic and good at dealing with difficult situations and difficult people. If anyone can steer comfortably through a meeting with Harry, Camilla can – which is why Charles will want her there.”
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
