Duke of Sussex expected to stay in California while monarch attends official events in Washington
Prince Harry is reportedly set to miss another chance to meet his father as King Charles prepares for an upcoming state visit to the United States.
Sources close to the Duke of Sussex claim he is not expected to travel to Washington to see the monarch during the visit. The update comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the US in April at the invitation of the American president.
The trip is expected to be a significant diplomatic event, featuring engagements at the White House and an address to Congress.
In an official statement, Buckingham Palace said:
“On advice of His Majesty’s Government, and at the invitation of the President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.”
The palace added that the programme will highlight the long-standing relationship between the two nations while also marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Following the US visit, the King is also scheduled to travel to Bermuda for his first royal visit to a British Overseas Territory since becoming monarch.
Despite both Harry and his father being in the United States at the same time, the Duke of Sussex is not expected to leave California, where he lives with Meghan Markle and their children, to attend events in Washington DC.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond previously told The Mirror that state visits leave little room for personal meetings.
“State visits are incredibly busy,” she explained. “The schedule is planned months in advance and packed with carefully organised engagements designed to strengthen diplomatic relations.”
She added that it would be unlikely for the King to travel across the country to see Harry and his family while in the US, given the demanding schedule attached to such official trips.
