King Charles feels "great sadness" over his lack of a relationship with Prince Harry's children, Archie and Lilibet, and it means there is one move he would "never" take against his younger son.
That's according to a royal author and commentator, who says the King's cancer diagnosis has made his relationships with his grandchildren "all the more poignant" as he knows he "won't be around forever." And this means he will never fully cut Harry out of his life, even with the estranged Duke of Sussex quitting royal life and making a series of bombshell claims from the US.
Ingrid Seward, who penned the book My Mother and I: The Inside Story of the King and Our Late Queen, said: "Family has always been important to the King. He remembers his own somewhat fragmented childhood as his parents were always busy doing their duty. It is a great sadness to him he doesn't see more of Archie and Lilibet.
"That is why he will never break ties with Harry. He does not want a FaceTime relationship with his son's children. He wants to know them and be involved with their lives while they are still young enough to be able to learn from his wisdom. His cancer has made it all the more poignant to him as he knows that he won't be around forever."
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The monarch has been having treatment for cancer since February (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The King is determined to build a relationship with Prince Harry's children and be a part of their lives, according to insiders.
The monarch, who has been undergoing cancer treatment since February, has expressed his dissatisfaction with only seeing them via video calls after meeting Archie, five, only a few times and two-year-old Lilibet once. His decision to increase efforts to be more involved comes as it's revealed he sent Lili a "heartfelt gift and card" on her recent birthday.
Harry scrambled back to the UK to visit his father (Netflix)Sources close to the 75-year-old King, who was in Normandy last week for D-Day commemorations, say he is "keener than ever" to focus on his family and duties and "make up for lost time" after being forced to reduce engagements due to his diagnosis.
Prince Harry, 39, his wife Meghan, 42, and their children reside in Montecito, California, after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from Royal life in 2020. Relations with the Royal Family have become strained following high-profile interviews, including one with Oprah in 2021, a Netflix show in 2022, and Harry's explosive 2023 memoir, Spare.
Prince Harry with Meghan and mum Doria (pixel8000)King Charles has been in a contemplative state. according to those closest to him, cherishing his strong connection with Prince William's trio of youngsters. Sources say he is hailed as a "fantastic and enthusiastic grandpa" to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Camilla, at 76, is also said to be a catalyst for Charles' increased determination to spend time with the rest of his grandchildren, too.
An insider revealed: "The King is absolutely committed to being present in all of his grandchildren's lives. He values family above everything and whatever the course of his relationship with his son he would never be content with just seeing his grandchildren on the odd video call."
Harry and Meghan are building their lives in the US (Netflix)After receiving news of his father's illness, Harry hurriedly returned to the UK. Despite travelling over 5,000 miles, Harry and his father's meeting was brief, lasting only half an hour. Following their short reunion, Harry expressed to ABC in the US: "I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that."
A friend of Harry's said: "There has never been an issue with the King being in their lives and there never would be. The door's always open."
However, last month, when Harry flew to London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, he was informed that his father's schedule was packed and the two did not meet.
Representatives for Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes did not comment.
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