King too busy to see Prince Harry during his UK visit, duke's spokesperson says

7 May 2024, 13:46 | Updated: 7 May 2024, 17:44

The King is too busy to see Prince Harry during his visit to the UK, the duke's spokesperson has said.

Harry is in London for an event celebrating 10 years of the Invictus Games.

It marks the first time the royal has been in the country since his rushed visit to see the King in February after the monarch's cancer diagnosis.

There had been press speculation that the pair would meet up again on his latest trip, but a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex has said the King is too busy to see his son.

"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 programme," the spokesperson said.

"The duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."

The King returned to public duties last week for the first time since his diagnosis for an unspecified form of cancer.

Buckingham Palace has said his diary will be carefully managed to minimise any risks to his health.

The palace has also said it would not comment on matters relating to Harry.

The monarch held an audience with the prime minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace today as Harry was seen in the UK.

Earlier, a Sky News camera captured Prince Harry arriving at the Honourable Artillery Company's headquarters on the edge of the City of London for a one-day summit, called the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation.

The event is looking back over the decade-long history of the games which Harry founded in 2014 as a Paralympics-style sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

It is taking place ahead of a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the games.

The ceremony will be the first major event Harry has attended in Britain for some time.

Harry hails legacy that 'transcends sports'

Speaking in a foreword at the summit taking place today ahead of the St Paul's service, Harry said: "It has been an honour to watch the Invictus Games Foundation grow over the years; what began as a vision to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, has flourished into an international organisation built on hope, strength, and unity."

The duke also wrote: "We are eager to celebrate the Invictus Spirit once again - exemplified in every single competitor, staff, friend and family member - your commitment, enthusiasm and belief, have been the driving force behind our continued success."

He added: "Together, we have created a legacy that transcends sports; a community that embraces compassion, respect, and the unyielding belief in the power of the human spirit. As we celebrate this milestone, let us recommit to the Invictus mission."

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Hollywood star to feature at St Paul's service

It is not known if any other members of the Royal Family will be in attendance at the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday.

British actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service.

Representatives from across the Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.

Following his visit to Britain, Harry will be joined by his wife Meghan for a trip to Nigeria.

The Duke of Sussex served in the UK military himself for 10 years from 2005 and was deployed to Afghanistan on two occasions.

Harry was inspired to found the Invictus Games after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and seeing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery.

He went on to stage the inaugural games in London's Olympic Park in 2014, followed by Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017 and Sydney 2018.

Harry has been living with Meghan in California since they quit their roles as senior working royals in March 2020.

The couple have two children together - Archie and Lilibet.

Harry has only visited the UK a few times since his decision to move to the US.

His latest trip comes after reports of a rift between himself and his brother William, the heir to the throne.

In a tell-all book published in January last year, Harry made several explosive claims about the royals - detailing fallouts with his family, including William.

(c) Sky News 2024: King too busy to see Prince Harry during his UK visit, duke's spokesperson says