King Charles III, who is said to be eager to reunite with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, recently gave a heartwarming response to a question about Prince Harry’s potential return to the royal fold.
The King’s brief but telling remark has reignited discussions about the fractured relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the royal family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to the United States, are reportedly still estranged from their royal relatives. Despite the ongoing distance, speculation about a possible reconciliation continues to make headlines. King Charles, now 76, has remained largely silent on the matter, though he once shared his personal view on a potential reunion with his younger son.
Calls for Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK intensified last year after both King Charles and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. At the time, reports suggested that Harry, who has had a tumultuous relationship with his father, might be willing to temporarily return to royal duties while King Charles underwent treatment. However, subsequent sources indicated that neither King Charles nor Prince William were prepared to fully trust Harry again, given past tensions. Despite Harry’s public expressions of concern, King Charles has maintained a reserved stance on the situation.
However, during an engagement in 2023, King Charles offered an unexpected four-word reply when asked about Harry. While visiting the University of East London’s Stratford campus for its 125th anniversary, a well-wisher called out: “Bring back Harry, please! Can you bring him back, Sir?” Initially appearing not to hear, King Charles asked, “Who?” Upon clarification, he nervously and poignantly responded, “It would be nice” before swiftly moving on.
It has now been over a year since King Charles last saw Harry, who remains largely disconnected from the royal family. Harry briefly returned to London in February 2024 following his father’s cancer diagnosis, but there have been no indications of a deeper reconciliation.
Royal author Robert Hardman recently told the Daily Beast: “Whatever reconciliation or bridge-building happens, it needs to be a three-way process.” As discussions about family dynamics continue, all eyes remain on King Charles and his next move regarding his estranged son.