Prince Harry’s decision to fly to Britain after King Charles’ cancer diagnosis gave him an opportunity to “further make amends for a lot of the pain he caused,” a PR expert told Newsweek.
The Duke of Sussex was on a plane just hours after Buckingham Palace announced Monday the king had begun treatment for cancer. Harry had already spoken to his father about his health, and the following day was with Charles at Clarence House by around 3 p.m. U.K. time.
The king delayed his departure from London to Sandringham, his Norfolk country retreat, for the meeting, believed to be about 30 minutes long. Harry was then seen back at the airport catching a return flight to Los Angeles, meaning he traveled 11,000 miles for a half-hour meeting.
While it may have been brief, the meeting has been widely perceived by commentators as a positive sign in their relationship after years of strain, amid allegations of leaks to the media and the bombshells from Harry’s Oprah Winfrey interview, memoir and Netflix show.
Eric Schiffer, chair of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek: “Harry would probably rather chew glass than have to make this visit because of the past.
“At the same time, this is a beautiful moment for him to show up for his father and to further make amends for a lot of the pain he caused the family and demonstrate, through action, a greater relationship and bond between him and his dad,” he said. “It was really emotionally mature for him to show up and it probably meant a lot to his dad.
“This is a mission to be there for his father and he took action, stepped up and wants to be a son who cares and shows up for his dad, and that is honorable,” Schiffer said.
Harry’s visit came as Kate Middleton was continuing her recovery from abdominal surgery in January, while Prince William on Wednesday returned to work three and a half weeks after his last public engagement. The Prince of Wales looked in good spirits as he conducted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, in which he made Brigadier Tobias Lambert an officer of (the Order of) the British Empire (OBE).
There is, however, no indication that Harry and William will meet to patch up their differences.
Schiffer said: “That relationship will continue to be affected by a death rattle that is not going away. Harry caused such pain, and William will hold that and is not about to let it go.”
Meanwhile, questions are still being asked on British news shows about why Buckingham Place has not revealed the type of cancer Charles was diagnosed with.
“The king has been remarkably transparent and the public loves it, and that authenticity really plays with young people as well,” Schiffer said. “He doesn’t have to go through the micro-elements of the diagnosis at this point.
“Most people understand what it likely is and he will benefit from the support and love of the public, who know he’s going to be really facing a struggle,” he continued. “At the same time, he wants to also do his duty on behalf of the country.”
