Buckingham Palace withholds hospital update to avoid tension and preserve royal stability
King Charles reportedly chose not to inform the Duke of Sussex about a recent hospitalisation linked to his ongoing cancer treatment, in a move by Buckingham Palace to prevent unnecessary drama and protect the image of the monarchy.
The monarch was quietly admitted for a short hospital stay due to side effects from his treatment. However, instead of receiving the news directly from the Palace, Harry, now based in the United States, learned about it through media reports.
Royal commentator Matt Wilkinson, speaking on A Right Royal Podcast, revealed the Palace’s calculated decision. “Harry wasn’t told. My understanding is that they didn’t want to add to the drama,” he said, explaining that officials feared Harry’s potential visit would raise public concerns and amplify the situation.
“They didn’t want to make it seem like it was more serious than it was,” Wilkinson added. He noted that when the King was initially diagnosed with cancer, Harry was informed ahead of time and returned to the UK briefly.
This time, however, the Palace's priority appeared to be maintaining calm. “The guidance to us was, ‘This is not a drama. It’s a mere bump in the road,’” Wilkinson shared. “Still, the King going to hospital, for me, is a big story.”
The Palace’s quiet handling of the matter is seen as part of a broader effort to preserve stability during a sensitive time for the monarch.
