Prince Harry has been branded an 'absolute twit' by former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond ahead of his upcoming UK visit, but she believes King Charles still loves his younger son despite the fallout from his royal exit. Bond said the King will want to see the Duke of Sussex, as well as his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, but the situation has been complicated by Harry's ongoing court battle with the government over security arrangements.
Bond: King Charles Likely Sees Harry as 'Absolute Twit' but Still Loves Him
Speaking to Sky News, Bond discussed how much King Charles will want to see Archie and Lilibet. She said: 'And he probably wants to see his younger son as well. I've long held the view that it is the role of a parent to be the bigger person in all this and hold out your arms and say, "Look, you've been an absolute twit, but I still love you."' She added that this sentiment 'probably' applies to King Charles, but noted: 'It's become very difficult because it's got all mixed up with this security issue and his own son trying to sue his own government.'
Bond also highlighted that the King has only met Lilibet once and Archie a few times, and as he gets older, he would likely love to spend more time with them. Harry, Archie (seven), and Lilibet (five) were originally expected to join Harry in London next week, but Meghan and the children will not accompany him. Harry had planned for his family to join him on his five-day trip to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Security Concerns Cast Shadow Over Visit
Reports indicate that Harry was waiting for a review by the Risk Management Board (RMB), part of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which rules on his security requirements. A request for police protection was reportedly turned down. It remains unclear whether Harry and his family will stay at a royal residence outside London or meet the King at all. Bond suggested that the Sussexes could potentially meet the King at Balmoral, Sandringham, or Highgrove.
While Archie and Lilibet were not expected to attend public events, it was previously reported that Meghan was scheduled to join Harry on visits to the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London and an Invictus event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. However, Reuters reported that 'a visit elsewhere in Britain had not been ruled out.' Bond said if Meghan does appear in the UK, the Midlands city of Birmingham is the likeliest location, but she would not be greeted with fanfare outside Invictus events. Bond added: 'Meghan has always been at [Harry's] side for these games. She knows it's her man's big moment and big campaign and she will want to be there.'
Legal Battle Over Security Continues
Harry has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over security arrangements for him and his family when in the UK. His level of protection changed after he and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020. When Harry lost a Court of Appeal challenge against the Home Office last year, he told the BBC he had hoped for reconciliation with his family, but King Charles would not speak to him because of the security court case.
Bond explained that Harry has previously offered to pay for Scotland Yard protection while in London, but this was refused. While Harry has private security, they cannot carry guns, leaving the Sussexes vulnerable to an armed aggressor in the UK. When asked why Harry and his family could not enter the UK without public knowledge, Bond said a 'quiet visit' would be within the Sussexes' capability, adding: 'That, obviously, would be a much better path.'
