King Charles is reportedly contemplating an official visit to the United States in an effort to repair strained relations with his youngest son, Prince Harry, and to spend time with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. According to royal expert Tom Quinn, the monarch is eager to connect with his grandchildren, whom he rarely sees due to the geographical distance and familial tensions.
"Charles is desperate to see his grandchildren and hates the idea that Archie and Lily will not remember him as the warm, friendly grandfather he wants to be," Quinn told The Mirror. Despite the strong bond he shares with Prince William's children, Charles has only met Lilibet once and seen Archie a handful of times. Their interactions are mostly limited to occasional video calls from Harry and Meghan's Montecito mansion in California.
The King is said to be exploring both an official visit and the possibility of a private trip to California. Quinn mentioned, "Charles has had discussions about an official visit to the United States, and there is no doubt he would build in time to visit his youngest son and his grandchildren, but there are mountains of planning to be overcome before that becomes even a remote possibility."
Quinn also noted that King Charles has previously made discreet, private visits to other countries, such as an unpublicized trip to Transylvania to check on his rental properties. This precedent suggests that a similar visit to California is feasible, despite the complexities involved in planning such a trip.
The strained relationship between Charles and Harry is further complicated by Harry's ongoing legal battle against the UK Home Office over the loss of his police protection. Harry has expressed concerns that his children cannot "feel at home" in the UK if their safety cannot be guaranteed. This legal dispute has been a significant barrier to Harry bringing his family to the UK for extended visits.
Adding to the tension, Harry has been reported to be searching for a "secluded Georgian house" near his father's Highgrove estate. According to Quinn, Harry is attempting to find a UK base but faces challenges due to his lack of experience living outside highly protected environments. "Every house he looks at has drawbacks," Quinn remarked.
The royal family dynamics have been further strained by the fallout from Harry's memoir, "Spare," in which he expressed his love for the UK and disappointment over being evicted from Frogmore Cottage. The property, gifted to Harry and Meghan by the late Queen Elizabeth II, was their UK base until King Charles evicted them in 2023.
Queen Camilla has reportedly been encouraging efforts to strengthen the bond between Charles and his grandchildren. Recently, Charles sent a heartfelt gift and card to Lilibet for her third birthday, signaling his desire to maintain a connection with Harry's children despite the ongoing feud.
Kinsey Schofield, another royal commentator, added that Harry's feelings of homesickness for the UK fluctuate. Speaking on the To Di For Daily podcast, Schofield said, "I'm sure Harry could get homesick, and we know that he is prone to wearing his heart on his sleeve. Meghan has likely permitted him to try to establish an additional residence in the UK if that will make him happy, but I doubt she has any desire to participate in the process or visit."