Former Royal Butler Finds It ‘Odd’ That King Charles Didn’t Meet Prince Harry During U.K. Visit

A former aide to King Charles has raised eyebrows by suggesting that the monarch’s decision not to meet with Prince Harry during his recent visit to the U.K. indicates deeper issues within the royal family.

Speculation was rife about whether King Charles would arrange a meeting with his youngest son, Prince Harry, who was in London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. However, no such meeting took place, leading to various interpretations and speculations.

Grant Harrold, who served as King Charles’ butler from 2004 to 2011, shared his thoughts on the situation. Harrold’s responsibilities during his tenure included roles as a valet, house manager, and driver. He also looked after Prince William and Prince Harry whenever they stayed at Highgrove House.

Harrold found it “odd” that the king did not take the opportunity to see Prince Harry, attributing this to a more strained relationship than the public might have realized. Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Harrold said: “I don’t know why they didn’t meet. To me, it seemed odd because obviously you would have thought that when a family member is in a country, you would make sure you’ve made a point of going to make appointments with them. The fact the king said he was extremely busy and yes, he was, he had a garden party in the afternoon, and it’s possible that maybe his calendar was very full. Sadly, I think it’s a sign of how much things have deteriorated and shows you the relationship between them has obviously decreased further, and again, the same with Prince William”, told Times Radio.

Harrold further speculated on the future of the royal family’s dynamics: “Even now I’m beginning to think maybe there will not be a return point from this because the relationship has been so badly damaged. But as with all things, time can heal. It’s possible one day the relationship — in some shape or form — could be back on the cards but right now I don’t think that’s an option.”

After attending the anniversary ceremony of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Prince Harry traveled to Nigeria with his wife, Meghan Markle. However, their visit to Nigeria was not without its challenges. Meghan was an hour late to a leadership event she co-hosted, and there was an awkward moment when the couple chose not to sing “God Save the King” during a reception.

The visit also sparked some discontent among Nigerians, with criticisms about its brevity and the perceived lack of engagement. Tonye Inoriebo, the secretary general of the National Youth Alliance, voiced his disappointment: “In Nigeria, we feel disappointed, abandoned, and betrayed. We feel that the government is not challenged. They only used the media for publicity, but they are abandoning the crucial challenges of Nigeria. As I’m talking to you now, a lot of Nigerians went to bed last night hungry. These people are starving.”

This visit and the lack of a meeting between the king and his son have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing narrative surrounding the British royal family and their relationships.