King Charles will not be meeting with Prince Harry during his brief return to the UK, with the pair having developed a rather strained relationship in recent years

Prince Harry and King Charles still have a “deep rift between them”, one expert believes after the monarch declined the opportunity to meet with his son.

The Duke of Sussex is in London to take part in an Invictus Games event at St Paul’s Cathedral and it was believed he would meet with his father during the trip. However, a spokesperson for Harry has said the monarch’s schedule is too full.

Relationship expert Louella Alderson said the King’s decision “speaks volumes” about the state of their relationship. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, she said: “It indicates that there is still a deep rift between them and that they are not yet ready or willing to reconcile.

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READ MORE: Prince Harry sits next to ‘second dad’ Mark ‘Marko’ Dyer at Invictus service after King Charles snub

Prince Harry is currently in London (
Image:
James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

He won’t be meeting with King Charles (
Image:
PA)
“Harry is rarely in the UK, and this trip could’ve been an opportunity for them to have a face-to-face conversation and start working through their issues. However, if they are not even meeting, it suggests that there is still hurt and resentment on both sides.”

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However, Louella believes there could still be a way forward for the pair. She said: “It doesn’t necessarily mean their relationship is beyond repair, but it does show that there is still a lot of work to be done before they can move forward.

“It’s possible that with time and effort, they could eventually mend their relationship, but for now, it seems like they are not yet ready to do so. It appears there is a long road ahead for healing and rebuilding their relationship.”

There was a time when the pair were close (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Louella said it won’t be “an easy journey” for Harry and Charles. However, she added: “But it is possible if both parties are willing to put in the effort and make amends when they feel the time is right.”

Harry had hoped to reunite with his father during his time in London, but a spokesperson for the Duke said: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.” While Harry made his way into St Paul’s Cathedral tonight, the monarch was flanked by a huge contingent of royals in a show of unity at this afternoon’s Buckingham Palace garden party.

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