Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Digital Cover royalty

Prince Harry won't meet with King Charles as he arrives in London without Meghan Markle

The Duke of Sussex will mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London this week

Matthew Moore
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Updated: 1 day ago
Share this:

Prince Harry will not reunite with his father, King Charles, during his return to the UK ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, which he will mark at a ceremony in St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday.

HELLO! understands the Duke will not meet with his father while in the UK this week "due to His Majesty's full programme".  A source says: "The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon." 

WATCH: Relive the moment Prince Harry teased HELLO! at Invictus Games event

One of the King's activities is the hosting of a garden party on Wednesday, the first garden party of the year and one of the monarch's first major activities since his cancer diagnosis.

On Tuesday, Charles also met with Major General the Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, the prime minister of the Republic of Fiji.

Prince Harry and Prince Charles attend the 'International Year of The Reef' 2018 meeting at Fishmongers Hall © Getty
Harry and Charles will not reunite during his time in the UK

In February, Harry flew back to the UK to spend time with the monarch following the news that the 75-year-old had been diagnosed with cancer. The King was seen earlier on Tuesday being driven from Windsor to London ahead of Harry's visit to the capital.

Prince Harry speaking with a drummer© Chris Jackson
The Duke arrived on Tuesday

HELLO!'s royal editor, Emily Nash said: "To an outsider it may seem odd that they can't make time for a meeting, but the King is head of state and has his diary planned months in advance - so it wasn't a given that it would happen, with Harry only here for a couple of days. It will inevitably lead to speculation over the state of their relationship, which has come under pressure over the past few years."

Prince Harry standing in front of a Union Jack© Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
The Duke flew solo for his trip to the UK

According to ITV's royal editor, Chris Ship, the Duke of Sussex is expected to carry out events related to the Invictus Games on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's service. Harry attended the Honourable Artillery Company's headquarters on the edge of London during the day. The Duke was seen meeting patrons of the Games, including Louise Minchin and Sir Keith Mills.

Prince Harry shaking hands with Louise Minchin© Chris Jackson
Harry met with patrons including Louise Minchin

The Duke also spoke at a panel discussion alongside Louise and Sir Keith, with one of the topics being the future of the Games, looking forward to its eventual 20th anniversary in 2034. During the discussion, Harry said: "Sometimes you… look back and go 'Look at what we’ve done'. But also given the state of the world, there is so much more to do and I think a lot of uncertainty – but what we've created is a global community."

When pressed on the future of the Games, the royal confirmed they would continue so long as they "serve their purpose".

Prince Harry sitting in a striped armchair© Chris Jackson
Harry spoke on a panel

In a foreword for the celebrations, the Duke wrote: "It has been an honour to watch the Invictus Games Foundation grow over the years; what began as a vision to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, has flourished into an international organisation built on hope, strength, and unity."

Prince Harry walking with Dominic Reid© Chris Jackson
Harry appeared at an event ahead of his main ceremony

Although the Duke of Sussex's wife, Meghan Markle, has accompanied him to many Invictus-related events in the past, including last year's games in Dusseldorf and a tour of 2025 host nation Canada, she was't present with the royal on this occasion. Meghan instead remains back at their California home with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Prince Harry talking to Meghan Markle as they walk outside at an airport© Pool
Harry and Meghan will head out to Nigeria later in the week

Harry's time in the UK will be relatively short, with the Duke reuniting with the Duchess of Sussex later in the week during a joint trip to Nigeria.  The couple are understood to have been invited by the Chief of Defence Staff, the highest-ranking military official in Nigeria, who Harry previously met at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf last September.

Although it's not yet confirmed what Harry and Meghan will do in the African country, HELLO! understands that the pair will visit several organisations during the tour. The trip comes after Meghan performed a genealogy test that revealed she was 43% Nigerian.

LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!

Princess Kate wearing black and white polka dots and a hat

If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…

What is it?

Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.

Member benefits

  • Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
  • Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
  • Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
  • Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
  • Royal-themed puzzles with a weekly prize to be won
  • Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
  • Invitations to in-person and virtual events
  • A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
  • Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits

By royal decree

You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!

LISTEN: HELLO!'s latest A Right Royal Podcast looks at the working royals

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Royalty

See more