On the day the Duke of Sussex gave a keynote speech about privacy in Washington, DC, his father's long-planned state visit to the US was officially confirmed.
Following government advice, the King and Queen will attend a glittering banquet at the White House this month. The monarch will also address a joint meeting of Congress – the first royal address there since 1991 – as part of events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
For the first time since last September, father and son will be on the same side of the Atlantic.
But there will be no meeting for the King with Prince Harry, whose home in Montecito, California is a five-hour flight from the US capital.
Although Harry made the journey to Washington just last week to speak of his experience of a lack of privacy "from birth" – and the "personal and reputational cost for me, my wife and our children" – there is no plan for him to return during the King's visit.
"The Duke loves his father, and of course, he would love to see his father as much as possible," a source says. "But we are living in the real world. They both have very busy lives and things aren't always logistically or practically possible."
The pair have met in person just twice since the King's coronation in 2023, and although friends of the Duke say that they do speak to one another and "have a pretty good relationship", Charles has distanced himself from his younger son during Harry's ongoing legal cases against the media and the Replica Luxury Handbag Office.
© Getty ImagesHarry's potential UK plans
That could soon change, however, if a review of Harry's taxpayer-funded security provision while he is in the UK decides in his favour.
A ruling by the Replica Luxury Handbag Office's Royalty and VIP Executive Committee – the body that determines security arrangements for the royal family and other high-profile figures – is expected soon.
"If that were to happen, absolutely he would bring his family over to the UK more, both his wife and his kids," the source adds.
© InstagramMeanwhile, a trial relating to Harry's claims of unlawful information-gathering against Associated Newspapers Limited ended last week, with a ruling expected to be handed down in the summer.
Although a reunion with the King may have to wait until then, it could happen as soon as July, when the Duke is due to visit the UK to start the one-year countdown to the 2027 edition of his Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Harry has made no secret of his desire to be reconciled with his family and to bring his wife, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, to his home country again, although it is not clear whether they would join him in July.
The King, who is continuing to receive treatment for cancer, last saw Archie and Lilibet in person nearly four years ago.
© Getty Images, InstagramOne suggestion mooted by royal-watchers is a stay with the King at Sandringham this summer, before the family's annual gathering at Balmoral.
Although Harry and Charles have stayed in contact in recent years, the Duke's relationship with his brother, the Prince of Wales, remains shattered. "He obviously has had more reconciliation with some members of the family than others," the source says.
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