A royal analyst has revealed that the King opted not to meet with the Duke of Sussex during his son’s visit to the UK this week, citing a series of challenging negotiations.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex returned to London in a triumphant fashion on Tuesday.
However, reports confirm that the Duke will not be reuniting with his estranged father in London this week due to the monarch’s busy schedule.
According to royal sources, negotiations behind the scenes may have influenced the King’s decision, as suggested by royal expert Charlotte Griffiths.
Speculations arise that the Duke’s stringent conditions for the meeting could have been a significant factor in the King’s choice.
Despite outward appearances, it seems the Duke’s demands posed a considerable challenge for his father.
Griffiths further suggests that external factors might have played a role in shaping the King’s stance on the matter.
The Prince of Wales likely deliberated on various approaches to the meeting, including whether it should take place at all.
It is known that the King prefers meetings in the presence of the Queen, a detail that could have complicated the situation, especially since the Duke was unaccompanied by his wife.
A spokesperson for the Duke confirmed that a reconciliation between the father and son is currently not feasible due to the King’s packed schedule.
His Majesty’s agenda includes crucial engagements such as his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the first garden party at Buckingham Palace, and other prearranged activities.
This visit marks the Duke’s first trip to London since his previous visits related to family health issues.
In honor of the Invictus Games’ anniversary, the Duke is scheduled to deliver a reading at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Wednesday.
Renowned actor Damien Lewis, known for his role in Band of Brothers, will recite William Ernest Henley’s poem, Invictus, during the ceremony.
Surprisingly, no members of the Duke’s British family have reached out to meet him during his brief stay in the capital, leaving him seemingly overlooked.
Facing the absence of lodging offers at royal residences, the Duke had to secure a hotel room in advance of his visit.
The unfolding events indicate a strained dynamic within the royal family, with the Duke navigating his commitments in London without familial support.
As the Duke continues his engagements in the city, observers await further developments in this ongoing saga without a clear resolution in sight.