Prince Harry's fleeting return to the UK this week to see his father, King Charles III, after the announcement of the monarch's cancer diagnosis has stirred interest and speculation. Harry flew into the UK on Monday and had a private 30-minute audience with Charles at Windsor Castle before flying back out less than 24 hours later.
According to reports by Mirror, the surprise trip marked the first face-to-face meeting between father and son since Charles' coronation last May. Their relationship has been under strain since Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and made damning accusations about his family and the monarchy.
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Body language expert Judi James analyzed photos of Harry arriving back at Heathrow airport on Tuesday and noted his relaxed demeanor and smile, suggesting positive outcomes from his meeting with Charles. "Harry's relieved-looking body language here will hopefully provide some positive clues about his father's current condition," James told the Mirror.
Harry's gesture to rush back to the UK following news of Charles' health issues suggests both men were willing to set aside their differences for the visit. However, Harry did not meet with his brother Prince William during the trip. Sources close to William said the Prince of Wales was focused on supporting his wife Kate as she recovers from vocal cord surgery and caring for their three children.
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There are no indications Harry's UK return was meant to heal the rift with his brother. The brothers' relationship has been strained since Harry stepped back from royal life.
Fans commenting on Harry's departure photos expressed relief to see him looking happy and relaxed as he headed back home to his wife Meghan Markle in California. Some interpreted his smile as a positive signal about his audience with Charles.
During tense Megxit negotiations in 2020, Charles was said to be very hurt and disappointed by Harry's decision to leave his working royal role. However, father and son were believed to have had some contact since then.
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Charles personally called Harry last week along with his siblings to inform them of his cancer diagnosis. Harry agreed to delay his UK visit until after the public announcement on Monday evening.
Photographed arriving at Windsor Castle mid-afternoon, Harry carried a small bag containing a notebook and pen, suggesting he may have wanted to take notes during the highly anticipated meeting.
Only 30 minutes later, Harry was seen being driven away. The brevity of the visit indicates it was very precisely arranged and strictly focused on checking in with his ailing father. Any deeper issues will likely have to wait for another time.
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A source said Harry would have been open to seeing William too if the opportunity had arisen. But reunions were not the purpose. Harry’s sole reason for returning was to visit the King following his cancer reveal.
While Harry has faced criticism for his intermittent visits back to the UK, supporters argue he dropped everything and traveled nearly 6,000 miles to support his father in person during a health crisis. This speaks to Harry's character and his priority of being present for Charles despite the tensions in their relationship.
Only Harry knows whether his audience with Charles brought them any closer to healing their rift. But his relaxed demeanor as he headed back to his wife and children in Montecito, California seems to hint he leaves with a sense of reassurance about his father’s condition. Their meeting appears to have brought both men some comfort during a difficult time.
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