King Charles has made his first public appearance since it was confirmed he will not spend time with Prince Harry during his younger son's visit to Britain this week.
On Wednesday, Charles attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace honoring members of the public who have performed commendable acts of service for their communities.
The event took place the same day Harry was in London to attend a service for the Invictus Games.
The Context
This is the first time Charles has appeared in public since Harry's spokesperson confirmed that father and son wouldn't be meeting during the latter's visit to Britain this week.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the spokesperson said: "In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full program. The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."
The party came just hours before Harry's 10th anniversary Invictus Games service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Charles' attendance at the garden party marks an important milestone for the king. It is the largest public gathering he has attended since beginning treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
The king was cleared by his doctors to resume in-person public events at the end of April.
What We Know
Charles' appearance Wednesday was at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.
The annual event is held each May and is attended by thousands of members of the public from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Charles was accompanied to the event in a royal show of unity by several senior working members of the royal family, with the notable exceptions of Prince William and Princess Kate. Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present.
Views
The news that Charles and Harry won't meet during the prince's visit to Britain has been described as "disappointing" to royal fans hoping to see some kind of reconciliation following Harry's move to the U.S. with Meghan Markle.
"It's hugely disappointing that Charles isn't going to see Harry," Newsweek's chief royal correspondent, Jack Royston, told Sky News on Wednesday. "I get asked so often, 'Will they ever simply repair the relationship?' And I think that's what most members of the public actually want more than anything else. They want royal relations to be warm again."
What's Next?
Wednesday's garden party at Buckingham Palace is the first of several that will occur throughout the summer.
Following his visit to Britain, Harry is scheduled to travel to Nigeria with Meghan this month to attend similar events connected with the Invictus Games.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan Markle and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
