Prince Harry met King Charles III on Wednesday afternoon at Clarence House in London, marking their first face-to-face meeting in nearly 19 months. The private engagement lasted just under an hour, according to Buckingham Palace, and was held while Harry was in the United Kingdom for a series of charitable events.
The Duke of Sussex, who has lived in California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, had not met his father in person since early 2024. Their relationship has been strained by Harry’s public disclosures, including his memoir Spare and multiple television interviews, which detailed private family matters and criticized aspects of life inside the royal institution.
The lack of contact between the pair has been highlighted on several occasions when Harry visited the UK without meeting the King. Schedules, health treatments, and travel commitments often coincided with his trips, reinforcing perceptions of distance between father and son.
The extended period without meetings reflected both logistical and personal obstacles.Harry resides in Montecito, California, while the King is primarily based in London and Sandringham.King Charles has undergone cancer treatment, which limited his public schedule and contributed to reduced availability for private visits.
Palace sources have frequently cited concerns about privacy, following public disclosures of past conversations. This has reportedly made spontaneous or informal meetings less likely. Also disagreements over Harry’s security while in Britain remain unresolved, complicating the logistics of extended stays or informal family visits.
According to royal aides, Wednesday’s meeting was scheduled in advance to allow father and son to reconnect privately. It coincided with Harry’s presence in the UK for the WellChild Awards and other charitable engagements, as well as commemorations marking the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Palace officials have emphasized that the encounter was “a family meeting” rather than an official royal engagement. The meeting involved only King Charles and Prince Harry. No other members of the royal family were reported to be present at Clarence House during the tea.
Prince William was not in attendance and has scheduled meetings with his brother during this visit, palace sources confirmed.Queen Camilla did not take part in the meeting also.
The meeting is regarded as a significant development for the monarchy, which continues to navigate questions of unity and public confidence. King Charles has relied heavily on the Prince and Princess of Wales as the forward-facing image of the institution, while Harry’s absence has remained a point of international attention.
Since moving to California, he has pursued a media career through publishing, streaming projects, and philanthropy. However, proximity to the monarchy remains central to his global relevance.
No further meetings between Harry and the King have been confirmed.