Prince Harry is preparing to travel to the UK next week with attention turning to whether he will meet with his estranged father – and one royal expert believes he needs a reunion
Prince Harry “desperately needs” a meeting with his estranged father, King Charles, on his imminent trip to the UK, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex is due to arrive in his homeland in a matter of days on a solo trip, where he will attend the annual WellChild Awards in London. It is the first time that Harry has made the journey across the Atlantic for almost six months and was last here for his High Court hearing into changes into his security arrangements in the UK.
After he lost the case, he gave a bombshell interview with the BBC, where he revealed the King won’t talk to him but added he would like reconciliation.
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Last month, it emerged that senior aides to the King and Duke of held a meeting in London in what was described as a step towards restoring the relationship between Harry and the Royal Family.
And this could potentially pave the way for the first meeting between father and son since February 2024, when the King first revealed his cancer diagnosis.
And royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward told Newsweek: “My opinion is that Harry desperately needs the stardust of meeting his father.
“He needs the glow of being the king’s son to shine on him. I think Harry would be very keen to meet his father, and as a parent, I would think Charles would probably like to see him.”
Harry is not believed to be bringing his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK for the trip. He previously said his security arrangements in his homeland make it “too dangerous”.
This means that Charles has barely seen his grandchildren – only meeting Lilibet once. And Ingrid added: “Because Charles isn’t seeing his grandchildren, that must be really sad for him, and if a meeting can be arranged without too much drama, he will see Harry.”
It comes after a US source previously told the Mirror that there is a strong possibility the pair will reunite. They said: “It’s clear there is now a determination on both sides to make this happen. Nobody is pretending the wider family issues have been resolved, but this is about beginning with Charles and Harry. For the first time in a long time, there’s a genuine sense that reconciliation is within reach.”
They continued: “After 20 months apart, and with the King continuing his treatment, the feeling is that the time is right to take that step.
“This is not about grand gestures or set-piece meetings – it’s about a simple face-to-face conversation between a father and his son. The priority is privacy and dignity, but also ensuring the door stays open for further dialogue.”
Harry’s appearance on Monday at the WellChild Awards will come threeyears to the day since his grandmother, the late Queen, died at her home in Balmoral, Aberdeenshire. The Duke will make a speech, meet and talk with seriously ill children and their families, and present an award to an “inspirational child” aged between four and six.
He has attended the awards 14 times before and has held the role of the charity’s patron for 17 years. The charity describes itself as the national UK children’s charity “making it possible for children and young people with complex medical needs to thrive at home instead of hospital, wherever possible”.
In a statement, Harry said: “I am always privileged to attend the WellChild Awards and meet the incredible children, families and professionals who inspire us all with their strength and spirit.
“For 20 years these awards have highlighted the courage of young people living with complex health needs and shone a light on the devoted caregivers – family and professionals – who support them every step of the way. Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection and community.”
