Prince Harry’s team have dismissed claims that he is attempting to create conflict between King Charles and Prince William following his recent visit to the UK.
Rumors suggested that Harry’s meeting with his father at Clarence House on September 10 was part of a strategy to drive a wedge between the monarch and his elder son. His spokesman, however, told The Sun: “Categorically not. Harry is not trying to drive a wedge between the Prince of Wales and the king.”
A source close to William also reportedly dismissed the speculation, calling it “rubbish.” Meanwhile, Charles and William have recently been spending time together at Balmoral and were also seen side by side during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK earlier this month.
Inside Harry’s Meeting with King Charles
There have been reports suggesting that Harry’s team had been in contact with Buckingham Palace to discuss the possibility of him appearing alongside his father at a public event. However, officials have made it clear that a “half-in, half-out” return to royal duties is not on the table.
Earlier this year, Harry expressed his wish to mend relations with his family, though it is widely believed he has not spoken to William in quite some time.
During his meeting with Charles in London, it was confirmed that Harry presented his father with a framed photograph of his children, Archie and Lilibet. In turn, the King is said to have given Harry a birthday gift ahead of his 41st birthday on September 15.
The monarch has not seen his grandchildren since Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022, amid Harry’s concerns that traveling back to the UK with them would not be safe.
Reports of Division Between Charles and William
Last week, a source pushed back against rumors of tension between Charles and William, telling the Daily Mail: “It’s evident there’s an attempt to manufacture division between them. In reality, no such rift exists.
“Their relationship is as strong as ever. They are aligned in their work, with many areas of shared interest, and united in their vision for the role of the royal family.”
These assurances came after royal author Tina Brown claimed that King Charles currently feels “less irritated” by Harry than by William, particularly regarding William’s work ethic.
William’s Reported Concerns About Prince Andrew
Adding to the speculation, reports suggest William has been unhappy about Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson maintaining close proximity to the royal family despite scandals surrounding Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Royal author Andrew Lownie told Vanity Fair: “I’m told William’s view is that his father needs to take a firmer line with Andrew. I think this could cause real tensions between Charles and William. William, as future king, will have to deal with the fallout from this. He wants this problem solved and has no sentimental attachment to Andrew. He has no time for Andrew, and he can see how toxic the Yorks are.”