Jennie Bond Says Harry ‘Conflicted’ on Charles Visit
Prince Harry may have had “conflicted” feelings while watching King Charles’s state visit to the United States, according to former BBC royal commentator Ms Jennie Bond, as the King did not meet his son during the four-day trip.
Express reported that Ms Bond said it would have been “rather surreal” for the Duke of Sussex to see his father being feted in the country where he now lives, while still not seeing him in person.
In remarks published in the Mirror and cited in the report, Ms Bond said it was never expected that the King would travel to California to see his estranged son, adding that the pair have not met face-to-face since September last year when Prince Harry was in London for a charity awards ceremony.
The expert also suggested the appearance could have left the Duke “conflicted” as the King was hosted by Mr Donald Trump, and noted that Prince Harry has previously spoken about believing his father and Prince William are “trapped” in royal life and about the importance of speaking “truth to power”. Related coverage has included claims that King Charles reportedly avoided a meeting with Prince Harry over leak fears, reflecting the ongoing strain between the two.
The comments underline how the King’s public diplomacy continues to run alongside a private rift with the Duke of Sussex, with any potential reconciliation still described as more likely to take place behind closed doors rather than during high-profile overseas engagements.
