Queen Camilla is not expected to respond favourably to Prince Harry’s invitation to reunite and sources say she is likely to give him short shrift and say she is not available for a get together

Queen Camilla is expected to use two words to show how she feels about Prince Harry returning to UK.

Harry has given an invitation to the service to Royal Family members. However, the occasion is the same day as a garden party at Buckingham Palace and royal experts is thought unlikely that many will attend. Camilla is expected to tell Prince Harry she is “otherwise engaged” when he returns for the Invictus Games 10th anniversary commemorative service on Wednesday. But the two simple words also give an indication of how she feels about the King’s youngest son.

Prince Harry may meet his father, but the Queen is said to be ‘not in a hurry’ to be reunited with her estranged stepson, sources say. According to the Express, the insider said: “Let’s just say that the Queen might be otherwise engaged. Although the King will have time in his diary for a brief visit, that hasn’t been confirmed yet due to the garden party schedule. Even if Harry does meet with his father, it is highly unlikely that Camilla will be in the same room.”

Prince Harry is expected to issue invitations to all the Royals ( 
Image:
ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Harry last visited the UK in early February and came over for just one day after learning King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. The two had a brief meeting at Clarence House in London, lasting less than 45 minutes, although it is not known whether Camilla was present. The source added: “Harry did the right thing by flying over in February. But it was very much a last minute surprise and was somewhat forced upon the household. The optics wouldn’t have been good if a meeting didn’t take place at that time.”

It is not expected that the Duke of Sussex will stay in London for long, as he and Meghan Markle have a trip to Nigeria planned for later in the month. If he does manage to meet his father it will be a brief encounter thanks to the King’s packed schedule, which includes his weekly meeting with the Prime Minister as well as the garden party.

The source explained: “Health permitting, the King is due to attend the garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8. If a meeting with Harry were to take place it would have to be just before or after that.” They added: “There won’t be any special arrangements made for a meeting, but one could be squeezed into plans already in place.” Since his move to the US, the Duke has had a strained relationship with the rest of the Royal Family, with his and Meghan’s TV appearances and his book Spare worsened relations.

The couple had become notorious for dishing the dirt on the Royal Family, however their latest projects with Netflix suggest they are moving onto a new chapter. Meghan is said to be launching a new cooking and lifestyle programme in conjunction with American Riviera Orchard, while Harry is reportedly making a new series about competitive polo.