Prince William and Kate Middleton have neither the “will or the strength” to “deal with ‘the Prince Harry problem’,” a royal expert has said, as the younger Prince makes his long-awaited trip back to the UK.

Top royal commentator and former BBC royal editor Jennie Bond claims the “boot is on the other foot” following the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis. Not only do Harry’s previously aired grievances that sparked a rift with the royal family now seem “utterly trivial” by comparison, William and Kate’s “frightening fight” means the future King and Queen are unlikely to have much desire for a confrontation with the estranged brother..

Harry’s relationship with his dad King Charles appears irreparably strained as he opts out of meeting his father during a brief visit to the UK. The Duke of Sussex, who landed in Britain for an Invictus Games event, has left Meghan and their kids back in the US.

Arriving on Tuesday, May 7, there was much speculation about whether Harry would see King Charles. However, any hopes of a father-son reunion were quickly squashed. Prince Harry’s spokesperson confirmed that a meeting couldn’t be arranged due to the King’s busy schedule. The statement from Harry’s team explained: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Prince Harry’s relationship with King Charles is now ‘terminally damaged’ ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
This marks Harry’s first trip back since learning his sister-in-law is undergoing cancer treatment after January’s surgery. Despite anticipation of a possible reconciliation, Jennie told OK!: “As regards William, that does appear to be a terminally damaged relationship.”

She then highlighted a change in their dynamic, claiming: “In a way, it seems the boot is now very much on the other foot. Previously it was Harry who was the ‘victim’ looking for an apology for all his perceived grievances. Now those grievances must seem utterly trivial (even to Harry) in the face of a very real problem: cancer.”

Prince Harry will not be seeing his father, King Charles during his UK visit, it has been confirmed ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Noting the seriousness of the situation and how it impacts family ties, she said: “Kate and William are involved in a frightening fight and I don’t think they have the will or the strength to confront someone, even a brother, who picked a fight over issues that seem pathetic by comparison.”

Jennie added: “William is doing everything he possibly can to protect his wife and I very much doubt that they want to deal with ‘the Harry problem’ right now, if ever.”

The royal expert reflected how Harry’s missed meeting with Charles indicates a severe rift. “we can deduce that their relationship is terminally damaged”, she said. “In a sensible world, Harry would stay with his dad at Clarence House – they could have cosy chats in perfect privacy and with all the security Harry wants.”

During his last visit to the UK, Harry met with his dad upon hearing about the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.