Prince Harry’s brief 26-hour visit to the UK to see King Charles after his cancer diagnosis has left Mirror readers split, with 46% saying he should have stayed longer. The Duke of Sussex flew from Los Angeles to London on February 6, spending just 12 minutes in private conversation with the King—their first in 16 months.
Speaking to Good Morning America, Harry said: “Look, 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.” He added that illness can have a “reunifying effect” on families.
However, royal expert Robert Jobson told The Sun that Charles “probably didn't want all the drama,” claiming Harry “brings with him a certain drama.” The prince stayed at a London hotel and did not see his brother Prince William, who was focused on Princess Kate’s surgery recovery.
In a Mirror poll of 6,558 readers, 3,006 (46%) believed Harry should have extended his visit. One reader commented: “He only spent 30-mins with Charles and then jetted back to LaLaland... he could have gone to Sandringham.” Another said: “Travelling all the way from LA to UK for a barely a 30-minute visit... Very environmentally friendly!”
Meanwhile, 41% said Harry did the right thing by keeping the visit short. One reader wrote: “He did the right thing. He dropped everything and visited his father. He can always return.” Another noted: “No one made any arrangements to meet up with him... He'd be a spare.”
Harry is expected to return to the UK in May for the 10th birthday of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral.
