Prince Harry has reportedly been dealt another emotional blow by King Charles—this time over the monarch’s recent hospital visit, which was kept a secret from the Duke of Sussex.
The latest royal revelation comes just as speculation swirls about Harry’s upcoming return to the UK. But instead of a warm welcome or family support, Harry was allegedly left completely out of the loop regarding his father’s health scare.
According to The Sun’s Royal Editor, Matt Wilkinson, speaking on A Right Royal Podcast, the decision not to inform Harry was deliberate. “Harry wasn’t told,” he said. “My understanding is that they didn’t want to add to the drama.”
Wilkinson continued, “They didn’t want to make it seem like it was more serious than it was. When [King Charles] was diagnosed with cancer, they told Harry before—and Harry flew back. But this time, the palace opted for silence.”
Royal insiders reportedly insisted that the King’s condition was not critical, downplaying the situation as a “mere bump in the road.” Still, Wilkinson expressed concern over the lack of transparency, especially considering the King’s ongoing weekly cancer treatments.
“I sat down and thought, ‘Well, the King’s had cancer now for over a year. He’s having treatment every week. And now he’s pulled out of engagements and had an unscheduled hospital visit… For me, that’s a big story.’”
The decision to keep Harry in the dark could further widen the emotional and physical gap between the Duke and the royal family. The distance has only grown since Harry stepped down as a senior royal and relocated to the United States with Meghan Markle.
This latest snub comes at a sensitive time, as Harry is expected to travel to London next week for a high-stakes legal battle. He’s scheduled to attend a Court of Appeal hearing on April 8–9 regarding his ongoing fight for UK police protection.
The lawsuit centers around Harry’s claim that it is unsafe for him to visit the UK without government-provided security—a service stripped from him after leaving royal duties. The hearing could have wide-reaching implications for both his personal safety and public perception.
But royal watchers are now wondering whether the palace’s decision to freeze Harry out of Charles’ health update signals an irreversible fracture in the family.
While Charles and Harry did manage a brief meeting earlier this year after the King’s cancer diagnosis was made public, sources say it was “short and formal.” Any hopes for a genuine reconciliation appear to be fading.
Meghan Markle is not expected to join Harry in the UK, a move some interpret as a signal that tensions remain high behind palace doors. Her absence may also indicate that the Sussexes are not optimistic about rebuilding royal bridges.
The royal family’s current strategy appears to be silence and distance. Whether it’s designed to protect the King from additional stress—or to send a message to Harry—is still up for debate.
What is clear, however, is that Prince Harry continues to be sidelined from key moments in his father’s life. And as King Charles battles cancer, the question remains: Will there be time left to truly heal this royal rift.
