King Charles has been warned that he may be "misjudging the mood of the British" public by allowing Prince Harry and his family to stay at a royal residence when he returns to the UK next month. The warning comes from royal biographer Tom Bower, who spoke exclusively to the Daily Express.
Background on Harry's Planned Visit
Although not officially confirmed by Palace sources, it has been widely reported that Harry, Meghan, and their two children will stay on a royal estate when they fly from the US to attend the Invictus Games' One Year to Go event in Birmingham in July. This would mark the first time the Duchess has visited the UK since September 2022, when she attended Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. A meeting between the monarch and his estranged son is expected.
Bower's Warning
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Mr Bower said: "I think that the King is misjudging the mood of the British, and he is falling into the trap of the Sussexes." He added: "I think the British feel very, very angry with the Sussexes because of their treachery and betrayal and dishonesty, and I think they're playing on his emotions. If they go into a royal palace and aren't seen, that's one thing, but if they're actually seen and start to behave like royals, it will cause huge damage."
Previous Controversy
Mr Bower's comments come after he was the subject of a fiery statement from the Sussexes following the release of his book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, earlier this year. Claiming that the author has "long crossed the line from criticism into fixation", the statement began: "This is someone who has publicly stated, 'the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,' language that speaks for itself." It continued: "He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."
Security Arrangements
Following Harry's security fears and ongoing security battle, it is understood the family has been invited to stay in a royal residence. The Sun even claimed they could stay in Buckingham Palace, with an insider describing it as the "safest building in Britain". This is despite the fact that Harry was offered a stay at the Palace during a previous return to the UK but declined, feeling it was not secure enough. The paper reports that Meghan has agreed to stay in a royal home with armed guards for her first visit back since September 2022.
Previous Visits and Family Relations
In the years since, Prince Harry has made several solo trips back, such as for King Charles's coronation in 2023 and to support charities he remains connected to in the UK. His last visit came in September last year, when he had a private 45-minute meeting with his father at Clarence House. As he attended an event in London afterwards, he said of the King, "Yes, he's great", when spoken to by reporters. While a reunion appears to be set for the monarch and his two youngest grandchildren, a meeting with Harry's brother, Prince William, is likely still out of the question. The warring brothers are not thought to have spoken since the late Queen's funeral and have not been in the same room since they attended their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, in July 2024.
