He’s been accused of “losing himself among the Highland heather and hills” and “burying his head in Duchy lemon posset” – a British dessert favourite – in the wake of the furore surrounding his son Prince Harry’s shock return to the UK.
But an insider reveals, rather than being oblivious, King Charles has actually been secretly encouraging his youngest son to return home.
“Charles’ [cancer] diagnosis set off a ticking clock – suddenly things that seemed so important before weren’t any more and he’s not prepared to leave the monarchy with another decade of Spare on loop,” the royal sleuth tells.
“He’s always wanted Harry home and has actively encouraged his return – he never wanted them to leave in the first place.”
News that his father was secretly engineering Harry’s return has not gone down well with Prince William.
Sibling showdown
“Charles has assured William he’s not taking sides, he just wants his family together again – his grandkids – but it’s not easy for Wills. Charles has told him it will always be him on the balcony, that he is his true heir, but he believes Harry can be turned into an asset now he’s behind ‘enemy lines’,” says the source of the tense conversations happening behind palace doors.
“Don’t underestimate how religious Charles is and his faith would never let him abandon Harry. There’s a part of Charles that genuinely believes bringing his sons back together could be what finally unites the country.”
But even with his father desperate for a reconciliation, royal biographer Duncan Larcombe says the heir to the throne is struggling to let bygones be bygones – in particular the damning comments Harry and Meghan have made at the Princess of Wales’ expense.
“I even understand that he has warned his wayward brother to ‘stay away from his family’ after everything that has happened,” Duncan tells Closer.
Upsetting the status quo
Harry and Meghan’s about-turn is reportedly in part due to their desire to have their two children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, educated in Britain.
They’re enrolled to start at a co-ed private school in the Cotswolds, an affluent stretch of countryside where A-listers such as Kate Moss, Ellen DeGeneres and David and Victoria Beckham reside.
The high-profile pair are said to have already upset locals after warning letters were sent to parents, reminding them “not to photograph or film other children without permission, or share photographs, information or details about pupils or their families on social media”, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Page Six.
Our source adds, “Harry’s return has certainly set the cat among the pigeons, but there’s no doubt Charles’ deteriorating health has made this happen sooner than expected. The original plan was when Archie was to begin high school, but even Meghan knows Archie and Lili’s future hangs on their relationship with the royals. And Charles is the only one who can make a reconciliation happen. All bets are off once William ascends the throne.”
