The biggest obstacle to a possible meeting between King Charles III and Prince Harry during Harry’s upcoming visit to London is Charles’ tense relationship with Prince William.
William believes his father’s reign has failed to modernize and still appears outdated, with its focus on uniforms, pomp, and strict duty. He also dislikes how Charles puts royal responsibilities above personal health and family life. Charles, in contrast, thinks William avoids the key duty of being seen across the country and spends too much time focusing on family rather than work.
This divide has left Charles cautious. He fears that agreeing to meet Harry would anger William further. William strongly believes no royal should give Harry legitimacy by being seen with him after Harry criticized the family in his memoir and TV projects. Public opinion in Britain mostly agrees with William, showing little support for Harry being welcomed back into the royal fold.
A friend of William told The Royalist that William feels proven right because of Prince Andrew’s renewed controversies. William had urged Charles to cut Andrew off, while Charles tried to show forgiveness. The friend said William feels the same way about Harry—that Charles is weak and he is not.
Still, William is unlikely to openly oppose Charles if he chooses to meet Harry. He respects his father’s position, even though he believes it would be a terrible mistake. Royal insiders doubt a meeting will happen without a clear apology from Harry. The strained relationship between father and son remains difficult and formal, still shaped by William’s deep resentment tied to the trauma of losing Princess Diana.
