London: Prince Harry won’t visit his cancer-stricken father while visiting London this week because of the King’s busy diary.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, landed in the UK on Tuesday and had made little secret of his hopes to see his father, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
However, a spokesman for Harry revealed that Charles, who last week returned to frontline public duties as his treatment continues, could “unfortunately” not find time to see Harry due to the monarch’s “diary of commitments and various other priorities”.
It remained unclear whether Harry’s office had made an official request for him to visit his father, who has a full diary of engagements planned months in advance.
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to his majesty’s full program,” a spokesman for Harry said.
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“The duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
On Wednesday, Harry was due to attend a service of thanksgiving marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral, where he will give a reading. The Paralympics-style games, founded by Harry, is a multi-sport competition for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Harry is expected to be in London for three days before flying to Nigeria, where he will be joined by his wife, Meghan, for a quasi-royal tour.