King Charles Joked About Having Prince Harry ‘Searched’ Before Meeting Him”
A royal author believes that the mistrust between King Charles and Prince Harry has reached such levels that the monarch reportedly joked about having his son “searched” before meeting him, to ensure he wasn’t “taping their conversation.”
Prince Harry arrived in the United Kingdom on May 8 for a service honoring a decade of the Invictus Games. It was widely reported that the Duke of Sussex wanted to meet with his father during his visit. However, Harry’s spokesman stated that the King’s “full program” prevented any meeting. The statement read: “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 program. The Duke, of course, understands his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Even if a meeting had been possible, there is reportedly a high level of mistrust between the king and his youngest son. Royal author Tom Quinn shared insights into their relationship with The Mirror. Quinn stated, “When King Charles heard his son was planning to return for the Invictus Games, he joked that if he saw Harry, he would have to have him searched first to see if he was taping their conversation! And, of course, at many levels, this is no joking matter.”
These remarks, though unconfirmed by King Charles or palace representatives, provide a window into the strained relationship between father and son. The mistrust likely stems from several incidents, starting with the interview Harry and Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey in 2021. In that interview, the couple detailed their reasons for stepping back from royal duties and moving to the United States. Harry expressed concern over “history repeating itself” regarding Meghan facing intense media scrutiny and royal pressures, similar to what his mother, Princess Diana, experienced.
Harry also alleged that royal family members would engage with the press for favorable coverage. “If you as a family member are willing to wine, dine, and give full access to these reporters, then you will get better press,” he told Winfrey.
In January 2023, Harry released his biography, “Spare,” where he described his father’s difficulty in communicating and being emotionally available. He recounted instances where Charles would leave notes of praise on his pillow rather than expressing his feelings directly.
Since stepping back from official duties in 2020, Harry has only visited the UK a handful of times and seen his father infrequently. He attended Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and her state funeral but has had limited interaction with King Charles. Harry attended Charles’ coronation in May 2023 but left shortly afterward. He returned in June 2023 for legal matters but did not meet his father during that visit.
Most recently, Harry visited the UK to meet with his father after learning of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis. Their meeting lasted less than half an hour before Harry returned to the United States. Following this, Harry attended a service of Thanksgiving for the Invictus Games, with no royal family members present.
Harry and Meghan now reside in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.