Prince Harry's statement about his father King Charles because he didn't have enough time in his busy schedule to meet him “painful and unnecessary” for His Majesty, a royal expert claimed.
Earlier in May, Harry flew to Britain to attend a 10th anniversary service for the Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral, with the king also having engagements at Buckingham Palace on the same day.
Despite much speculation that Harry and Charles would reunite, a spokesman for the Duke said ahead of the service: “In response to many questions and ongoing speculation about whether or not the Duke will meet his father this week while in Great Britain is, Unfortunately, this will not be possible due to His Majesty's full schedule.
'The Duke obviously understands his father's diary with obligations and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.'
Royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward said this The mirror that these words were very unhelpful, explained: “Harry's unpredictable behavior is hurtful to his father. Even if he was too busy to see Harry – and that is entirely possible – it is unnecessary to issue an announcement to that effect and no one benefits from it.
“This is especially the case if his father is still undergoing cancer treatment and could be very tired and emotionally vulnerable.”
It was later reported after Harry's departure from London that the Prince actually declined an invitation to stay in a royal residence for security reasons.
Ms Seward added: “When Prince Harry During his three-day trip to London in May, he turned down his father's offer to stay at a royal residence. It was a surprise for the royal household.
'The king was aware that Harry had no British base. He couldn't have been aware that Harry was worrying unnecessarily about safety.'
She continued: 'But he was unaware that Harry would make a statement saying his father was too busy to meet him. It was hurtful and even if it was true if they had been under the same roof maybe a meeting could have been arranged.
“The King is wary of his troublesome son. Whatever he does to help him is met with disapproval. Nothing is ever Harry's fault. It is either the British government's fault or the lack of security that provided to him by the Metropolitan Police.
“They offered him a 'bespoke' package, with each visit assessed individually. Not good enough for Harry. He had his own package to stay in a private luxury hotel where the entrance and exit are hidden from prying eyes and cameras and even in front of the hotel The staff does not know which VIP guests are staying there.”
The King may be considering inviting Harry, Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to Balmoral for the summer.
However, the Duke's fears for his family's safety may prevent him from accepting such an invitation as he is no longer entitled to taxpayer-funded protection.
In February Harry lost his case against the Home Office to restore his safety, with his own bid for appeal also rejected by the court in April.