King Charles is reportedly facing a difficult balancing act as Prince Harry prepares for a possible visit to the UK.
The monarch is said to have offered his younger son royal accommodation during the trip, but the move could risk creating fresh tension with Prince William, who remains distant from Harry.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror that the situation is delicate for the King, especially as he tries to manage his relationships with both of his sons.
“It is, though, going to be a delicate balancing act for the King,” Bond said. “If he makes peace with his youngest son, his loyal and steadfast older son will have his nose royally put out of joint.”
Bond added that there is still no clear sign of a breakthrough between William and Harry.
“There is absolutely no sign of any thaw in the brotherly feud,” she said. “But we should never say never. Things can change, and perhaps William might one day come round to his brother’s view that ‘there’s no point in continuing to fight any more.’”
However, she noted that trust remains one of the biggest obstacles.
According to Bond, Harry and Meghan Markle have damaged their relationship with senior royals through past public disclosures, including Harry’s memoir Spare and the couple’s Netflix documentary series.
“A massive issue is trust,” Bond said. “Both Harry and Meghan have squandered the trust of senior members of the royal family.”
She added that the Sussexes’ public comments and projects had invaded the privacy of the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton.
“I think the Sussexes are still on very shaky ground when it comes to trust,” Bond said.
For King Charles, any attempt to reconnect with Harry may come with emotional and family complications. While the King may want to repair ties with his younger son, he also has to consider how such a move could affect William and the wider royal household.
