Prince Harry and King Charles III are going to be like ships passing in the night.
In fact, the Duke of Sussex won’t meet up with his father at all while making his scheduled visit to the United Kingdom this week, a spokesperson for Harry confirmed to E! News.
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week,” explained the spokesperson’s May 7 statement to E!, “it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program.”
The rep noted that Harry—who touched down in the U.K. on May 7 for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games—was “understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities” and added that he “hopes to see him soon.”
But Charles—who shared his cancer diagnosis in February—isn’t the only member of Harry’s family he won’t be spending time with while he’s in London. His wife Meghan Markle also won’t be there to cheer him on in person. Instead, the Duchess of Sussex—who shares kids Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2, with the Spare author—will remain in California before reuniting with her husband for a trip to Nigeria later this month.
Harry was, however, able to share a special moment with the king back in February, following news of his cancer diagnosis.
Photo by Ethan Cairns/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images“I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could,” the 39-year-old told Good Morning America Feb. 16. “I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
Read on for the latest updates on Harry, Meghan, Charles and more royals from all across the world:
Handout/Millie Pilkington/Buckingham Palace via Getty ImagesReturning to Public Duties
On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties.
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesQueen Camilla Attends Royal Maundy Service
The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.
BBC StudiosKate Middleton Shares Cancer Diagnosis
In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she’d been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
“It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful,” she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
Stephen Pond/Getty ImagesKate Middleton Apologizes for Edited Family Photo Controversy
After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she tweeted on March 11. “I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesLady Kitty Spencer Privately Welcomes Baby
Princess Diana’s niece celebrated Mother’s Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby.
“It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally,” she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. “Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today.”
Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesQueen Camilla Takes a Break
After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband’s cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla’s schedule.
The Times pointed out March 2 that the 76-year-old didn’t have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she’d be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day.
Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesThomas Kensington Dies at 45
The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner’s inquest found that he died by suicide.
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesKing Charles Diagnosed With Cancer
While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer.
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
Stephen Pond/Getty ImagesSarah Ferguson Is Diagnosed With a Second Type of Cancer
The Duchess of York’s rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.
KELD NAVNTOFT/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe II of Denmark Abdicates the Throne
On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th.
Samir Hussein/WireImageKate Middleton Is Hospitalized
Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Kate Middleton underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days.
“Based on the current medical advice,” the Palace said, “she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty ImagesPrince William Adjusting His Schedule
Amid Kate’s recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple’s three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
WPA Pool / Pool (Getty)King Charles III Undergoing Treatment
Shortly after Kate’s hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles “has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.”
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” the statement added. “The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
