Prince Harry reportedly did not want to be in the same room as Queen Camilla when he spoke to his cancer-stricken father, King Charles III.
According to Petronella Wyatt, a British journalist and friend of Camilla, Harry preferred not to have his stepmother present during the discussion about the King’s cancer diagnosis.
The Duke of Sussex made a brief trip from California to London last week to spend 30 minutes with his father following the unexpected disclosure of the monarch’s illness.
It is well-known that Harry and Camilla have a strained relationship.
In his memoir titled “Spare,” published last January, Harry accused his stepmother of leaking stories about the Royal Family to the media for her own benefit.
He referred to her as “dangerous” and a “villain,” claiming that she had sacrificed him to improve her own reputation.
Prince Harry flew from Los Angeles to London on a ten-hour flight and arrived at Clarence House at 2:42pm.
Despite his estrangement from his father and brother, Prince William, since stepping away from royal duties, Harry quickly returned to LA after the meeting and was in Las Vegas the next day to deliver a speech at an NFL awards ceremony.
According to royal expert Robert Jobson, the King only spent half an hour with Harry to minimize stress levels.
Given the King’s health condition, it was essential to keep him calm and avoid raising his blood pressure.
After exchanging greetings, Harry and his father likely discussed matters that would not cause additional stress.
Charles is said to have been disappointed by his son’s portrayal of Queen Camilla in his book.
The Telegraph reported in November that the King felt let down by Harry’s depiction of his stepmother.
In “Spare,” Harry expressed complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who he felt had sacrificed him for her personal image.
He also revealed that he and Prince William had pleaded with their father not to marry Camilla, fearing she would become their “wicked stepmother.”
In a TV interview with Anderson Cooper on CBS News show 60 Minutes, Harry provided further insight into his claims.
He described Camilla as dangerous due to her connections within the British press and her ambition to rehabilitate her image.
He expressed concern that people would suffer as a result of her actions.
Camilla responded to Harry’s claims with a nonchalant attitude, according to an aide who spoke to The Sunday Times.
She chose not to make a fuss and believed the situation would eventually settle down.
Camilla’s close friend Lady Lansdowne echoed this sentiment, stating that it bothered and hurt Camilla but she chose not to dwell on it.
Despite his cancer diagnosis, King Charles still hopes to visit Australia with Queen Camilla in October.
The monarch’s ongoing treatment had raised doubts about the visit, but a Palace source confirmed that he remains optimistic about completing the trip.
The visit is scheduled to coincide with the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Samoa and was announced by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year.
While undergoing treatment, the King will limit public appearances and focus on recovering at Sandringham or Highgrove.
However, he will continue with behind-the-scenes work and make regular visits to London for meetings and medical advice.
