Prince Harry’s return to the United Kingdom could be King Charles’ biggest gamble yet — and Prince William may not like it.
The claim was made by multiple royal experts who spoke to Fox News Digital following reports that the Duke of Sussex is expected to visit the U.K. in September. The Sun reported that the monarch plans to offer his younger son a room at Buckingham Palace in London during his stay.
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace and Archewell, which oversees the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment.
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“Prince Harry has been invited to stay at Buckingham Palace to coincide with the annual WellChild Awards, which he attends each year,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “This is perceived as an olive branch by King Charles to slowly rebuild their relationship. However, will Prince Harry accept the invitation? There are murmurs that he has accepted it. Time will tell.”
“My sources say staff at Buckingham Palace are against Harry staying,” Chard said. “They feel immensely betrayed by Harry’s explosive claims against the royal family. Also, my sources say there has been no hint of contrition from the Sussexes. People are not going to forget that they hurled the royal family under the bus, creating lasting damage to the crown. Many wonder why King Charles is appeasing Harry.”
The olive branch came after the Sussexes had a rare reunion with Charles during their visit to the U.K. in July. The private meeting, which took place at Charles’ country estate, Highgrove House, marked the first time the king had seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, since 2022.
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Harry’s recent visit to the U.K. was marked by problems.
After reports that the prince would visit his home country with his family, the British government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences, prompting him to travel alone on July 6.
The Sussexes lost their taxpayer-funded security after they stepped back as senior working royals. Harry was later denied the restoration of that security by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).
The couple previously lived at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London before moving to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor shortly before Archie was born in 2019. After they stepped back as working royals in 2020 and relocated to California, the Sussexes were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage.
People magazine reported that ahead of Harry’s trip, his team spent several days exploring ways to make the visit safe through enhanced private security arrangements. Palace sources told the outlet Harry initially declined an invitation to stay at a royal residence before later accepting it.
Harry’s spokesperson told the outlet that an offer for the Duke of Sussex to stay at Buckingham Palace during his London visit was withdrawn after he had formally accepted it. Palace sources, however, disputed that account, saying Harry failed to respond by the deadline and that his later acceptance came only after arrangements could no longer be made.
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A source close to the Sussexes told the outlet that, behind the scenes, the drama surrounding the visit was “quite stressful.”
“What was billed as a big homecoming … turned into a nightmare,” Russell Myers, author of “William & Catherine,” told the outlet. “It was further evidence of the fractiousness of Harry’s relationship with the institution.”
Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, reported that, according to sources, “not even the Prince and Princess of Wales were made aware” that a meeting would take place on July 10 between the Sussexes and the king.
She also reported that Charles, “who has sworn his youngest son and daughter-in-law to secrecy,” insisted that nothing about their July 10 meeting be leaked. Only palace aides were permitted to confirm the reunion had taken place after the Sussexes left Highgrove House without being seen.
Royal experts told Fox News Digital that while Charles is open to reconciling with his younger son and reconnecting with his California-based grandchildren, not everyone is welcoming the Sussexes with open arms.
Prince William is said to remain wary of his estranged brother, many of them shared. According to the experts, the brothers have not spoken since 2022, when their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, died.
“King Charles, from all indications and all feedback from courtiers, obviously wants to maintain an open dialogue and ongoing relationship with his ‘dear boy,'” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “Prince William, meanwhile, remains wary and won’t want Harry at the palace. However, it’s better that Harry stays at Buckingham Palace than in Windsor, which is too close to William and his family.”
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If Charles hopes to bring Harry back into the royal fold, he’ll first need the blessing of the future king, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said.
“The attitude of the Waleses, since they are the monarchy’s future, is pivotal,” Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “And with good reason, they don’t trust the Sussexes. King Charles’ approach could prove incendiary.”
Still, Chard believes Charles appears willing to risk fresh royal tensions in pursuit of something he’s long wanted: reconciliation with Harry.
“Don’t get me wrong, reconciliation within the British royal family would be good as it makes the monarchy stronger,” Chard said. “However, why invite Harry to Buckingham Palace, the iconic royal residence that’s the administrative heart of the monarchy? Harry is no longer a working royal and shouldn’t be offered a room at Buckingham Palace.”
“I guess the optics of inviting Harry to Buckingham Palace are seen as a goodwill gesture, easing tensions with small steps forward, peace-wise,” Chard said. “It also skates over the endless divide within the family.”
Chard previously told Fox News Digital that William is known for being stubborn behind palace doors and isn’t one to forgive easily.
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“William believes the monarchy must be seen to do the right thing, even when it’s painful. From what I understand, he felt his father didn’t handle that firmly enough. He also believes in protecting it by drawing hard lines. But he’s not the king yet.”
During part of their U.K. visit, the Sussexes stayed at Althorp, Princess Diana’s ancestral home, where they were hosted by Harry’s uncle, Earl Charles Spencer. It was there that Archie and Lilibet learned more about their grandmother, who died when Harry was 12, according to People.
Meghan later shared photos of Harry and their children at the estate on Instagram.
Fordwich previously told Fox News Digital that William was likely “livid” over the photos.
“Not only is Prince William likely to be livid regarding the commercialization of Althorp in such a tacky, tasteless media post, but it’ll fuel his disgust, so he [would] thwart any major re-entry,” she said. “Likewise, Camilla, courtiers, palace aides, security officials and other institutional gatekeepers who are duty-bound to protect the monarchy will all do their utmost to thwart Meghan and Harry’s attempts.”
