King Charles and Prince William must put on a "united front" when Prince Harry next visits the UK, a royal expert has claimed.
Richard Fitzwilliams, author and royal expert, told the Daily Mail that the monarch and his heir must work together should Prince Harry visit the UK again since conflict over the Duke of Sussex could "overshadow" the work the monarchy is doing "in the media".
Earlier this month, Harry, 41, embarked on a two-week trip to his birth country, taking on several engagements to discuss mental health, youth empowerment, and to promote the Invictus Games. Although he was joined in the UK by his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, and their two children, Archie, seven, and Lillibet, five, Harry took on his public appearances solo.
© Getty ImagesReunion with Charles
However, they did join him in reuniting with Charles and Camilla at Highgrove, a meeting that left Harry "very happy and really energised". It marked the first time that the King has seen his two grandchildren in person since 2022, when they visited the UK for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Despite a positive reunion with his father, Harry's relationship with his older brother is less cordial, according to reports, with the pair no longer on speaking terms. It's a conflict of interest between Charles and William that could pose "disastrous" consequences for the pair who are responsible for the "future" of the royal family, Richard said.
Richard believes William's disdain for his "wayward" brother was apparent from the fact that he spent the day playing polo on the same day that Harry and Meghan reunited with Charles.
© Getty ImagesFuture visits from the Sussexes are inevitable, with arrangements "regarding accommodation" and, hopefully, security likely improved for the next assembly.
Better relations between Charles and Harry could even result in an invitation for the King to attend next year's Invictus Games in Birmingham, the expert suggested.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesPotential risks
However, if real progress is to be made, future visits between the King and Harry should be held "privately" to avoid any risk of "overshadowing" the diligence of working royals in the UK.
Although reconciliation is in theory a good thing, "it often comes at a cost," and Charles should ensure he and William "agree a joint approach" for future visits.
© Getty ImagesThe meeting between father and son earlier this July marked a clear sign of the thawing of the relationship between Charles and Harry following years of estrangement.
The two were on rocky terms after Harry criticised his father, stepmother Camilla, William and sister-in-law Kate during his Oprah interview as well as his Netflix documentary and autobiography, Spare, after stepping down from the monarchy six years ago.
