At a recent state banquet, King Charles openly praised his eldest son, Prince William, and French President Emmanuel Macron—while notably leaving out any mention of his youngest son, Prince Harry.
The omission came just months after Harry expressed his desire for reconciliation with the Royal Family, a sentiment that appears to have gone unanswered by the palace.
Charles Highlights William’s Role at Windsor Castle
During the formal dinner, King Charles, 76, referenced Prince William’s residence at Windsor Castle, saying it was “appropriate” given his namesake—William the Conqueror—who began building the historic fortress in 1070.
“The Castle in which we meet this evening was begun by my ancestor — and your sometime countryman — William, Duke of Normandy,” the King told the 150 guests in attendance.
“It remains the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world,” he continued. “So it is perhaps rather appropriate that my son, the Prince of Wales, who shares that earlier William’s name, has made Windsor his home with his family, like so many of our predecessors.”
Charles then shifted his focus to praise the visiting French president and his wife, Brigitte, emphasizing the longstanding friendship between the UK and France. But as many noted, he said nothing of Prince Harry.
Harry’s Past Comments on Reconciliation Left Unanswered
The King’s silence about Harry came just months after Harry shared heartfelt thoughts about his family in a BBC interview.
On May 3, 2024, Harry told the outlet that he “would love a reconciliation” with his relatives and expressed concern about his father’s health, stating, “I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
He also explained that his father had not been willing to speak to him about his concerns over personal security, adding that despite his hopes for peace, he and his family were unlikely to return to live in the UK.
Reports Suggest William Influenced Charles’s Decision
Royal experts have weighed in on the growing distance between King Charles and Prince Harry. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Charles would prefer a reunion with Harry and peace between his two sons, but that seems out of reach.
“Of course, he [Charles] would like Harry to be the prodigal son and come back, and would be much happier if William and Harry were friends again. But he realizes that is just not about to happen,” Seward wrote in her book My Mother and I.
In February 2024, following King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, The Mirror reported that William had significant influence over his father’s stance toward Harry. When contacted about Harry’s brief 24-hour visit to the UK, the palace responded:
“Whatever has been discussed between William and the King is private, but it is absolutely and categorically clear that [William] would not allow Harry to return.”
Public Opinion Leans Toward Charles and William
The internet had strong reactions to Charles’s omission of Harry. A Facebook post from Entertainment Daily UK, which called the lack of mention a “snub,” prompted widespread support for the monarch.
One commenter wrote, “Snubbing Ginge will be good for Charles’s health,” referring to Harry by a nickname linked to his red hair.
Another noted, “Of course William is a working member of the Royal family and doesn’t winge like Harry.”
Others viewed the situation as a personal boundary rather than an act of cruelty. “King Charles is right,” one person posted. “We must remove toxic people in our lives, not because we hate them but because we love ourselves.”
They ended with a sentiment many seemed to share: “KC needs peace for his recovery.”