King Charles III is said to be “fed up” with the drama that continues to follow his estranged son.
The claim comes from British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard following The Mirror’s report that the Duke of Sussex is “frantically” trying to secure private security for his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two young children so they can travel to the U.K.
Fox News Digital reached out to Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment.
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“Of course, grandfather Charles wants to see his Montecito grandchildren,” said Chard. “He just does not want the Sussex drama. King Charles is fed up — fed up with the rolling media briefings, the last-minute changes of plan, the security fight being litigated in public and in court.
“Then there was the accommodation offer made, declined and then re-requested. The visit with the children is confirmed, then canceled and then maybe back on. It pulls the monarchy into a circus it cannot control.”
“The reputational damage is already done,” Chard said. “To bring the Sussexes back into the fold publicly now would look like the institution surrendering to pressure. If Harry and Meghan want the king to meet his grandchildren, it will have to be strictly private, properly planned and without the press in tow. The Sussexes will have to agree to the king’s terms to avoid the royal family becoming the laughingstock of the world.”
WATCH: KING CHARLES WENT ‘ABOVE AND BEYOND’ FOR PRINCE HARRY: EXPERT
Harry’s return to his home country has been troubled from the start.
After reports that the prince would visit the U.K. with his family, the U.K. government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences, prompting him to travel alone on July 6. He is expected to remain there through July 11 for events highlighting the Invictus Games.
It is unclear whether he will meet with his father or if his family will join him before the end of his trip. The Telegraph reported that Meghan is expected to travel to Britain this week with the children. Fox News Digital reached out to a Sussex spokesperson for comment.
Harry’s troubles have only deepened. On July 7, the Duke of Sussex lost his yearslong privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. The case involved Harry and six other claimants, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley. The High Court dismissed their claims after finding they failed to prove unlawful information gathering.
Associated Newspapers Limited called the ruling an “overwhelming victory” and a “magnificent vindication.” Harry said the court denied him the justice and accountability he sought. The publisher has long denied the allegations, calling them “preposterous” and maintaining the articles were based on lawful sources, including friends, royal aides and publicists.
Meanwhile, the royals have kept their distance, carrying on their duties without meeting with Harry. At one point, Harry and his older brother, Prince William, were just 12 miles apart. Royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla were choosing to keep their heads down, keep calm and carry on.
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British royal expert Hilary Fordwich previously told Fox News Digital that Harry’s “debacle” over security and his “self-inflicted court case” have been “stressful” for the king. Harry has said the litigation became one of the primary causes of his falling out with his father and brother. In pursuing the case, he broke with royal family tradition by taking the dispute to court.
The Sussexes lost their taxpayer-funded security after they stepped back as senior working royals. Harry was denied the restoration of that security by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.
“Every time it looks as if there might be a last-minute chance for some sort of tender reunion, it all falls apart,” Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” told Fox News Digital. “Every planned kumbaya moment turns into a dumpster fire. The latest court ruling against Harry at the very moment when he might have been able to at last have a few moments with his father is a perfect example.”
“The idea that the king would love to have a relationship with his grandchildren is no secret,” said Andersen.
“That has been the case from the beginning. Don’t forget that Charles stepped up to walk Meghan halfway down the aisle when she married Harry because her own father didn’t show. King Charles was always very fond of Meghan, so, to a large degree, he also feels betrayed by her. It’s a very complex situation, and maybe even more complicated by the behind-the-scenes intrigues of palace operatives.”
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People magazine previously 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 said Harry initially declined an invitation to stay at a royal residence before accepting it on Saturday.
Harry’s spokesperson told People 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.
“From King Charles’ perspective, the issue isn’t whether he loves Harry or his grandchildren — it’s whether private family business can remain private,” Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital. “Right now, there is very little evidence to reassure him.”
“I’ve never doubted that King Charles would love to know Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” she said.
“The tragedy is that affection isn’t what’s missing — trust is. I think King Charles can long for a relationship with his grandchildren while recognizing that any meeting carries institutional and reputational risks. The king’s heart may say yes. His experience tells him to proceed very carefully. The reunion begins with rebuilding confidence that family moments won’t become public commodities.”
Harry has been estranged from his family since he and his wife stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing what they described as unbearable intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.
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After moving to California, they aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” further strained relations. The palace has never publicly commented on the book.
Following the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement, remarking, “Some recollections may vary.”
While Archie, 7, was born in the U.K., Lilibet, 5, was born in California. Charles met his granddaughter only once, during the family’s 2022 visit to Britain.
“The relationship between King Charles and the Sussexes is undoubtedly distant, and he is wary of them,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said. “As the world knows, there is a rift in the royal family, and [it’s believed] that William wants nothing to do with them. The king’s biggest priority right now is the future of the monarchy. He also knows William, Catherine and their family are its future.”
“Even if there were a meeting, any true relationship takes time,” Fordwich said. “The rest of the royal family, particularly Prince William, is extremely wary.”
In 2025, Harry told the BBC he would “love” reconciliation with his family, noting “there’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.” He also acknowledged that his memoir and the couple’s interviews raised concerns within the royal family.
“Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book,” he said. “Of course, they will never forgive me for a lot of things.”
