Prince Harry leaves UK without having met his father or brother in a devastating snub

Prince Harry is jetting off to join Meghan Markle after a fleeting UK visit (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry is jetting off to join Meghan Markle after a fleeting UK visit, amidst Royal Family tensions. The Duke of Sussex has bid farewell to the UK, setting off to reunite with his wife Meghan without having met his father or his brother.

Harry is bound for Nigeria, where he and Meghan are scheduled for a tour at the invitation of the West African nation's chief of defence staff, who Harry encountered last September at the Invictus Games Dusseldorf in Germany.

The Duke made headlines in London on Wednesday as he celebrated a decade of the Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral, while just a stone's throw away, Charles presided over a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

However, the King reportedly had no time to meet his son due to a packed schedule of royal duties, as confirmed by a statement earlier this week which highlighted that a father-son rendezvous was off the table owing to the monarch's crammed calendar.

The 39-year-old Duke also missed the chance to catch up with his elder sibling, Prince William, during his trip. The last encounter between Harry and the King was in February, prompted by news of Charles' cancer diagnosis.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle 'thinks being a controversial royal with Prince Harry has more appeal'

Harry is bound for Nigeria, where he and Meghan are scheduled for a tour (Image: n.c)

Prince Harry arrives for Invictus Games anniversary service

A spokesman for Harry clarified earlier this week: "In response to the many inquiries on whether or not the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme. The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has expressed his views on the current tensions within the Royal Family. He told the Mirror.: "It's a very difficult situation at the moment and it's completely unprecedented.

"I think people thought Harry and the King would have found the time to meet each other. I think what's developing here is something that had not been expected but there is logic to it. I think that this and the appointment of William as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps is about timing."

He further commented on the possibility of reconciliation, saying: "The only way for the rift to be healed is in private."

READ MORE: Meghan Markle 'thinks being a controversial royal with Prince Harry has more appeal'

King reportedly had no time to meet his son due to a packed schedule of royal duties (Image: n.c)

The 39-year-old Duke also missed the chance to catch up with his elder sibling, Prince William (Image: n.c)

During the recent event at St Paul's, Prince Harry was noticeably without any other Royals at his Invictus Games celebration. This marks a stark contrast from the 2014 launch when he was joined by Prince Charles, Camilla, and Prince William.

Since stepping back as senior royals in 2020 and relocating to California with Archie and Lilibet, Harry's relationship with his family appears increasingly strained.

At the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Harry was supported by his late mother's siblings, Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellows. His cousins George McCorquodale, Louis, and Lara Spencer also attended, offering their support.

During the recent event at St Paul's, Prince Harry was noticeably without any other Royals (Image: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

Outside St Paul's Cathedral, enthusiastic crowds gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry.

Throngs of people had assembled around the crash barriers to witness the Duke's arrival, with a significant number of reporters, photographers, and cameramen documenting his every move. Harry greeted them with a wave as he confidently ascended the steps of St Paul's, where he was warmly welcomed by the Dean of St Paul's, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett.

Upon his departure, the Duke engaged in a short walkabout, extending handshakes to some of the eager spectators who had patiently awaited a chance to see him.