Amid Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ongoing feud with the royal family, King Charles is reportedly extending an olive branch. Despite no significant changes in their strained relationship–the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly weren’t invited to the Trooping the Colour this year, and Harry didn’t see his father during his most recent visit to the U.K.–the British monarch is apparently considering visiting his youngest son in California for a sweet reason: To spend some time with his grandchildren. According to a royal expert, King Charles is “desperate” to see Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, although Prince William and Queen Camilla are reportedly less than supportive of the decision.
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As King Charles continues to undergo treatment for cancer, he is more keen than ever to reconnect with his grandkids. “He is desperate to see them and hates the idea that Archie and Lilibet will not remember him as the warm, friendly grandfather he wants to be,” royal author and commentator Tom Quinn reportedly told The Mirror. Because Prince Harry is “hesitant” to bring his kids across the pond, the king is reportedly having “discussions” with him and Meghan about doing a “discreet, private visit” to the couple’s home in Montecito, per the publication.
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The Mirror adds that a visit could happen as early as next month, per New Idea magazine, as there’s a gap in the king’s schedule. While Harry is reportedly open to the meeting, a source told the publication that the other senior royals are against the idea, although for different reasons.
“William can’t understand why Charles would go out on a limb like this,” the source said, adding that Queen Camilla is against the trip for health reasons. “The Australia tour in October is going to be a lot for a man of his age with cancer, let alone an emotional transatlantic journey to visit his estranged son.”
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Former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole previously opened up about the king’s desire to nurture a closer relationship with Archie and Lilibet, telling the Daily Mail that the royal feels the “lack of closeness with his California grandchildren acutely.” The royal expert said that the king had made small steps to bridge that divide, including sending a “heartfelt gift and card” to the princess for her third birthday.
