prince charles visits northern ireland

Prince Charles arrives in Northern Ireland for two-day visit - recap

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall took part in a series of events on their first day in NI

• Updated 20:58, 18 MAY 2021

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales arrived in Northern Ireland on Tuesday (May 18) to commence a series of events over the following two days.

Prince Charles was joined by Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as he visited the city of Belfast and the surrounding area on Tuesday.

The prince last visited Northern Ireland in September 2020.

The couple started their engagements at Belfast City Hall where they met with historians to discuss the Northern Ireland Centenary and the history of Belfast.

They also heard of plans that are in place for the city to become a Unesco City of Music.

It is understood there was a large police presence outside City Hall today in preparation for the arrival of the important visitors who are set to take part in a series of engagements over the next two days.

The Northern Ireland Office welcomed the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses saying: "Delighted to welcome TRHs The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall as they commence a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

"They can be assured of a very warm welcome!"

Check out our live blog below for how we covered updates throughout the day.

• Evening round-up 20:56
• Michelle O'Neill has not met with Charles at the castle 18:51
• Charles visits Slieve Gullion 17:07

Evening round-up

Michelle O'Neill has not met with Charles at the castle

Charles visits Slieve Gullion

Prince charles unveils h&w plaque, tour of belfast city hall.

That's it for tonight - thanks for joining us, and please stay tuned to BelfastLive for all the latest from the Royal visit tomorrow.

Arlene Foster meets Charles at Hillsborough Castle

Michelle o'neill has not met with charles at the castle.

Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has not taken part in the meeting with the Prince of Wales at Hillsborough Castle - although she did meet him on a previous visit.

First Minister Arlene Foster did take part in the meeting with Charles but did not make any comment to media afterwards.

In a statement to PA, Ms O’Neill said: “I met Prince Charles on his last visit to the north last September and recently expressed our condolences to him and his family on the death of his father.

“On this occasion a meeting was not possible.

“The British royals have made a very positive contribution to the development of peace and reconciliation.”

Prince of Wales heading for Hillsborough Castle

According to the official updates the Prince of Wales will host office sessions at Hillsborough Castle this evening.

Green's the colour for Camilla

Camilla is wearing an emerald green Rifle’s coat dress and matching face mask by couture designer Fiona Claire.

The silver touch of the Duchess in Hillsborough

Duchess attends silver workshop

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall went to visit to Cara Murphy's workshop in Hillsborough.

She's the silversmith who created the Grand National trophy, and one of her pieces of work is also in Downing Street.

The duchess viewed a demonstration before taking a hammer and trying the technique herself, causing Mrs Murphy to comment that it could be a new career.

Then Camilla viewed several pieces of art created by the Co Down artist before meeting her family.

On leaving the studio, a large crowd had gathered, causing police to temporarily close the road.

The Duchess took time to talk to some local schoolchildren before leaving.

Prince treated to traditional Irish music in Co Armagh

The next stop is Newry, where the Prince has met with donors, trustees, volunteers and conservation workers at Slieve Gullion, an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.

The Prince was told park operates to reduce erosion on traditional stonework and supports local trade, buying sheep’s wool to create fleeces to underlay the footpaths.

There was a musical performance by a group of children from The Ring of Gullion Traditional Arts Partnership (TAP), a community arts association which performs traditional music and song through increased cross-generational cultural activity and greater community cohesion in the Fairy Glen.

Charles presented with painting of late father at shipyard

On his solo visit to the Harland and Wolff shipyard, Charles was presented with a picture of his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, on a visit to the shipyard in 1977.

He commented on the height of the towering yellow cranes which dominate the city skyline as he met workers, many of whom represent the third or fourth generations of their family to work there.

PA reports that he unveiled a plaque to mark the 160th anniversary of the company, which fell into administration in 2019 before being bought by Infrastrata. He told the staff:

“I’m so pleased to hear that there is all sorts of potential new activity here and new fabrication opportunities … and I hope you could encourage a lot more of the young to become apprentices and understand the importance of manufacturing, and to also understand how this country has led the way in so many of these areas. “We owe all of you an enormous debt of gratitude for your skills and ingenuity, which are so remarkable. Well done all of you and thank you for all the hard work you put in.”

Prince hails youth workers working with young people living in deprived areas

From their earlier visit to the Education Authority, Charles and Camilla heard reflections from young people living in deprived areas on how youth workers had impacted their lives.

In a speech, Charles hailed the “tireless work” being done to bring about reconciliation, reports PA.

“I cannot tell you how really inspiring it has been to hear of the tireless work being carried out by youth workers on all sides of the community, and I just wanted to take this opportunity, if I may, to pay special tribute to your dedication and commitment to the cause of peaceful co-existence,” he said.

“We must never underestimate the risk, and of course the cost, of holding to peaceful ways, and how much determination and courage is necessary.

“All of you whom I have met here today and many more of your colleagues in your communities have shown those qualities in the most challenging circumstances.

“We owe you a deep debt of gratitude and above all of admiration.”

Among the work discussed at the engagement were schemes to stop bonfire builders from engaging in anti-social behaviour.

He added: “Whenever I visit I never cease to be profoundly moved by the work that is being done to heal the pain of the past, to bring understanding and reconciliation in the present and to build hope for the future.

“All who love this very special part of the world can only wish you renewed strength of spirit and resolve as you take forward this work of such vital importance to these islands.”

Harland & Wolff employee meet and greet

Charles and Camilla at City Hall

At Belfast City Hall, His Royal Highness meets with historians discussing the Centenary of Northern Ireland. The Duchess hears about Belfast’s ambition to become an UNESCO City of Music and is introduced to the women’s steering group. #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/YwbawJyR4r — The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) May 18, 2021

Prince meets H&W staff

Prince's visit to H&W

Visit to H&W Shipyard

The Prince and the Duchess have visited the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in East Belfast to celebrate the city's long history of commercial shipbuilding.

He then went on to see a welding demonstration at a fabrication workshop and meet with staff.

The visit concluded with the Prince unveiling a plaque to mark the company’s 160th Anniversary.

It mirrored The Duke of Edinburgh’s 1977 trip to the site. His Royal Highness had the opportunity to meet with an employee who was present when The Duke visited as well as a fourth-generation employee whose family were also part of the 1977 visit.

Prince and Duchess visit Education Authority

Charles and Camilla have visited the Education Authority in the Cathedral Quarter after making the short journey from City Hall.

They have met with youth workers in the city and spoke to two young people who shared their experiences of growing up in Belfast and how the youth services have helped them.

Last Royal visit

Prince Charles visited Northern Ireland in September last year, when they visited the Ulster Museum, and met with recently graduated nurses and midwives.

They also met with representatives from domestic abuse charity Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited Belfast City Hall, where they met with historians to learn about the history of Belfast and the Centenary of Northern Ireland.

The couple also heard of plans for Belfast to become an Unesco City of Music and met with a women's steering group.

City Hall Staff also told them about the new vision for Belfast and important plans for the future.

Welcome to Northern Ireland

Delighted to welcome TRHs The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall as they commence a two-day visit to Northern Ireland. They can be assured of a very warm welcome! Follow @NIOgov for regular updates. #RoyalVisitNI @ClarenceHouse pic.twitter.com/ChceK1uVG0 — Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) May 18, 2021

Prince Charles visits Belfast City Hall

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have begun a two day visit to Northern Ireland with a tour of Belfast City Hall, where they learnt about the history of the city and the Northern Ireland Centenary.

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PICS: The best photos of Charles and Camilla's Northern Ireland visit

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles touched down in Belfast on Tuesday for a two-day visit . The royals will be taking in the beauty of Northern Ireland during their 48-hour trip.

Their stay marks their first visit to the state to mark the centenary of its creation in 1921. The couple will meet with members of the community honouring Northern Ireland's history.

During the first day there, they soaked up the best of Belfast's culture as they visited several landmarks of the city. Charles even walked in his late-father, Prince Philip's footsteps in his first few hours on Irish soil.

Take a look at the best pictures below.

Belfast City Hall

Charles and Camilla started off their visit at Belfast City Hall, where they met with historians and staff to learn about the city's history as well as their current reality, and what the future holds.

The city hall opened in June of 1921, just a few months after the region's first elections in May.

The Cathedral Quarters

From City Hall, Charles and Camilla moved to the beautiful Cathedral Quarters of the city. This is where a lot of Line of Duty is filmed. It's also the cultural hub of Belfast and a must-visit for travellers.

The pair stopped by the Education Authority Headquarters to learn about the services provided for Belfast's youth. They also spoke to people who benefited from the authority.

They then took part in a discussion led by the assistant director for youth services, Arlene Kee.

Harland and Wolff Shipyard

Following in the footsteps of his father, Charles walked through the iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard. The shipyard, of course, is the birthplace of the Titanic.

Prince Philip visited the shipyard in 1977. Charles had the chance to meet an employee who was present when the Duke of Edinburgh made the trip more than 40 years ago.

Donning a hardhat and a high-vis vest Charles took a tour of the facility, which hosts two of Europe's largest drydocks.

He also attended a welding demonstration, how exciting before he met with employees. Before he left he unveiled a plaque commemorating the shipyard's 160th anniversary.

Slieve Gullion Forest Park

One of the most beautiful forest parks, Slieve Gullion, was on the Prince's itinerary. The park is settled in Co Armagh, during his visit he learned about the geopark's conservation work and volunteer programme.

He also got to meet with young, local musicians who delighted him with a rendition of some traditional music. And he even got greeted by a dog!

A Silversmith's Workshop

Meanwhile, Camilla stopped by a silversmith's workshop in Hillsborough, Co Down.

Cara Murphy was delighted to teach Camilla a thing or two about her craft as she got a tour of the workshop.

And she even got to meet a dog outside the shop, so she wasn't missing out on too much!

Bangor Open Air Market

Prince Charles and Camilla kicked off day two of their visit with a stop by the Open Air Market in Bangor, Co Down.

They were greeted by local schoolchildren from Bangor Central Integrated Primary School and Bangor Central Nursery School as they arrived in the seaside town.

The couple toured the town’s market, which is currently in its 97th year, before sampling some of the local wears.

Donaghadee Harbour

They then headed to the beautiful Donaghadee Harbour, where Charles unveiled yet another plaque!

He commemorated the Bicentenary of the Royal Charter of Donaghadee Harbour and the laying of the harbour’s foundation stone.

He was also asked how many TVs his mother, Queen Elizabeth had. Charles replied, 'Oh, I don't know. One I thought.'

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In Northern Ireland, Mourning, Yes, but Symbolism, Too

King Charles III visited Belfast and met with members of Sinn Fein, the Irish nationalist party, now the largest in the country.

By Mark Landler

LONDON — On a national tour of sorrow, King Charles III has heard many expressions of condolence for the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II . But few were as tinged with symbolism as the one delivered on Tuesday by the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey, at a royal castle outside Belfast.

Mr. Maskey is a member of Sinn Fein, the Irish nationalist party, which is now the largest in the territory. He was once jailed for his involvement with the Irish Republican Army. It’s a sign of how much has changed that Charles, whose great-uncle Louis Mountbatten was assassinated by the I.R.A. in 1979, smiled sadly when Mr. Maskey switched to Irish to say, of the queen, “May she rest in peace.”

Charles and his mother each played a role in trying to reconcile the Irish and British after the blood-dimmed tide of the Troubles. The fruits of their efforts were on vivid display in a bereaved Belfast. Yet the new king also confronted a Northern Ireland that is drifting inexorably, if slowly, toward the Irish Republic — another part of the United Kingdom that could slip away during his reign.

“The death of the queen comes at a moment when unionism in Northern Ireland is feeling particularly anxious and uncertain about the future,” said Katy Hayward, a professor of politics at Queen’s University, Belfast.

“But it also puts nationalist leaders in a difficult position,” Professor Hayward said. “Many nationalists feel uncomfortable with the king. At the same time, they’ve got to be considerate of other people who feel differently.”

The unionists, who want to stay part of the United Kingdom, are fearful that post-Brexit trade rules, known as the Northern Ireland protocol , will erode their ties to Britain, hastening the day when the territory’s growing nationalist, predominantly Roman Catholic population will vote to leave and unify with Ireland.

Under pressure from the unionists, Britain’s prime minister, Liz Truss, has threatened to scrap the trade rules, provoking tensions with the European Union and Ireland that some fear could erupt into a full-blown trade war.

Still, Northern Ireland’s fraught politics took a back seat on Tuesday to a day of rituals and mourning for the queen, which spoke to her appeal on both sides of the Irish border. Her visit to the Irish Republic in 2011 — during which she wore green, expressed regret for Britain’s painful history with Ireland and tried out some Irish — is remembered there as an electric moment of personal diplomacy.

Mr. Maskey praised the queen for recognizing the power of a small gesture to bridge bitter gaps between people. Elizabeth, he said, understood that “one tradition is not diminished by reaching out to show respect to another.”

Charles replied that the queen “never ceased to pray for the best of times for this place and its people, whose stories she knew, whose sorrow our family had felt and for whom she had great affection and regard.” She saw her role, he said, as someone who could try to bring together “those who history had separated.”

The new king pledged to continue that work. Having made 19 trips to Northern Ireland with his wife, Camilla, he can claim a credible record as a diplomat. He has also reached out to Ireland, despite the blow of Lord Mountbatten’s killing, which deprived him of a beloved mentor.

In 2010, Charles attended a gala party in his honor at the Irish Embassy in London, where he mingled with guests like the singer Bob Geldof, was serenaded with Irish music and was toasted by a famously peppery Irish radio personality, Terry Wogan, who thanked him, tongue in cheek, for “800 years of oppression.”

Bobby McDonagh, the former Irish ambassador to London, who played host at the party, said Charles had been thrilled by the reception. Mr. McDonagh recalled his pointing out that the embassy was across the road from the garden at Buckingham Palace, where he had played as a child. If Charles had known that at the time, he told his host, he would have thrown pebbles at the embassy’s windows.

In 2015, during a visit to Ireland, Charles played his own part in reconciliation by shaking hands with Gerry Adams, who was then the leader of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the underground I.R.A. Mr. Adams had long described Lord Mountbatten, who had once led Britain’s armed forces and had a vacation home in Ireland, as a legitimate target in the I.R.A.’s armed struggle against the British government.

Mr. Adams did not apologize for the killing during that encounter. But last year, on the day after the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, was buried, the current leader of Sinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald, issued a landmark apology. “Of course, I am sorry that happened,” she told a London radio station. “Of course, that is heartbreaking.”

On Tuesday in Belfast, King Charles greeted the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, who attended a memorial service for the queen. That made him the first head of state to meet the king since his accession to the throne.

He also took note of the new political landscape in a brief exchange with the leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill. As the head of the largest party, she has been designated as the first minister in the territory’s power-sharing government. But the unionists have refused to take part in it, citing Britain’s impasse with Brussels over the trade rules.

“What are you now, the biggest party are you?” the king asked Ms. O’Neill.

She replied, “We are, indeed.”

“All that skill and ingenuity,” Charles said with a smile.

Mr. Maskey, the assembly speaker, gestured to the nearby figure of Jeffrey M. Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, which once held that status. “Don’t be telling Jeffrey that now,” he said.

Ms. O’Neill has struck a conciliatory note, saying last week that the queen nourished ties with “those of us who are Irish, and who share a different political allegiance and aspirations to herself and her government.”

Unionists relished the display of royal pomp, saying they were grateful that Charles had visited so quickly. For now, “the protocol is not in our minds,” said David Campbell, chairman of the Loyalist Communities Council, which represents a group of pro-union paramilitary groups that vehemently oppose the trade rules.

Still, some scholars questioned whether, over the long term, the unionist population would find the king as reassuring a figure as his mother. Many of them particularly identified with the queen’s religious faith, Professor Hayward said.

Charles comes across as a less conservative figure, embracing interfaith communication and issues like climate change. That does not appeal to the deeply conservative Democratic Unionists, Professor Hayward said. He is also divorced, she noted, which rankles some older unionists.

In unionist and loyalist strongholds in Belfast and Derry, the queen’s image is ubiquitous in store windows and on murals. Images of Charles are fewer. The English king who features prominently in unionist iconography is William of Orange, who won a famous military victory over a Catholic king, James II, in 1690.

Most experts said they doubted the transition from Elizabeth to Charles would alter the political dynamic in Northern Ireland, which is rooted in causes that stretch back much further than the dawn of her reign.

“I would expect Charles to perform fairly well as king,” said Mr. McDonagh, the former Irish ambassador to London. “But regardless of how he performs, I wouldn’t expect it to diminish one bit the unionists’ desire to remain in the union. I also don’t think it will change the aspirations of the nationalists.”

Mark Landler is the London bureau chief. In 27 years at The Times, he has been bureau chief in Hong Kong and Frankfurt, White House correspondent, diplomatic correspondent, European economic correspondent, and a business reporter in New York. More about Mark Landler

King Charles to carry out engagements in Northern Ireland on Tuesday

• Monday 12 September 2022 at 8:00am

The King will carry out a number of engagements in Northern Ireland on Tuesday as part of the new monarch’s programme of visits across the UK.

Accompanied by the Queen Consort, Charles will arrive at Belfast City Airport where he will be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O’Boyle, and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

Charles and Camilla will travel to Hillsborough Castle in Co Down for several engagements.

There they will hold a private audience with Mr Heaton-Harris as well as meeting with representatives of political parties in the region.

The royal couple will then receive a message of condolence from the speaker of the Stormont Assembly on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

After, they will attend a reception at the castle, hosted by Mr Heaton-Harris, which will be attended by some members of the public.

Charles and Camilla will also travel to St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast where they will attend a service of reflection for the life of the Queen.

They will then undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square before leaving Northern Ireland.

The trip to Northern Ireland follows a visit to Scotland on Monday, with a visit to Wales planned for later in the week.

Hillsborough in Co Down is the home of the royal residence in Northern Ireland and has been the location for much of the ceremonial activities since the death of the Queen.

The proclamation of the new King was read from Hillsborough Castle on Sunday by the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Robert Noel.

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly will return to Stormont later on Monday for a special sitting where tributes to the Queen will be paid and a book of condolence opened.

Prince Charles and Camilla's Visit to Northern Ireland in Photos

The royal couple thanked healthcare professionals and visited small businesses who have been impacted by the pandemic.

Today, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited Northern Ireland for the first time in over a year. The pair undertook a series of engagements around the region, speaking with locals about the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic. They met with healthcare workers, non-profit managers, food distributors, and individuals in the tourism sector, discussing how they grappled with the past six months. The couple ended their day by meeting with Northern Ireland government officials. Keep reading to see the trip highlights.

Charles and Camilla arrived in Belfast, beginning their day at the Ulster Museum. The museum was the first of the National Museums Northern Ireland to reopen to the public after COVID-19 forced its closure. The royals spoke with museum managers and staff about the challenges of reopening with new restrictions.

At the museum, they viewed an exhibit on Florence Nightingale, in honor of the 200th anniversary of her birth. While there, the couple also posed next to a throne made for the Game of Thrones end of filming party.

Charles and Camilla then met with a group of nurses and midwives at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, a Northern Ireland healthcare organization.

The Prince and Duchess spoke to the group, who finished their studies at Queen’s University Belfast and the Open University early, in order to transition to clinical roles. They supported other healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Heading to her next engagement, the Duchess of Cornwall wore a green mask, matching her coat, and toted a clear umbrella.

At one point in the visit, Camilla and Charles split up, and the Duchess headed to Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid. This organization provides support, information, and emergency housing for women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence.

During her visit, the Duchess met with staff, benefactors, and women who have used the organization's services. In recent months, the nonprofit has dealt with many challenges, including an increase in referrals, but has continued to offer support for women around Northern Ireland.

Country Antrim

Prince Charles journeyed to Country Antrim, visiting Henderson Foodservice. The 120 year-old family-owned food business distributes groceries to convenience stores across Ireland.

The Prince addressed staff at Henderson Foodservice. He also heard from leadership about how the company has coped with unprecedented increased demand over the past few months.

Hillsborough Castle

For their last stop of the day, the Prince and Duchess traveled to Hillsborough Castle, the Northern Ireland government residence. There, the Prince of Wales met with government officials, including (pictured) Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Junior Minister Declan Kearney.

Charles also spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis (pictured) and First Minister Arlene Foster.

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Prince Charles Visits Throne Made for 'Game of Thrones' Wrap Party in Northern Ireland

Game of Thrones has been a popular show within the royal family

Prince Charles was shown a different kind of throne during a surprise visit to Northern Ireland on Wednesday!

Charles, 71, and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall , 73, traveled to Belfast to carry out a series of engagements and pay tribute to frontline workers amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. While at the Ulster Museum, the couple was shown a special willow Iron Throne that was made for a party to celebrate the premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones . Filming of the hit show, which concluded in May 2019, took place in several locations around Northern Ireland.

The future heir, who arrived in a mask made by artisans of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation , an Afghanistan-based charity set up by the royal , looked amused as he stood in front of the structure, which was made by local Bob Johnson of Bob’s Baskets.

Game of Thrones has been a popular show within the royal family. Prince William shared he and his wife Kate Middleton are big fans of the show. The couple revealed they watched the series while eating curry takeout in their “comfy clothes.”

And when they met GoT actor Tom Wlaschiha, (who plays Jaqen H’ghar) during a visit to Berlin, they reportedly tried to get a few spoilers out of him.

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“They said they really liked Game of Thrones and have watched every series,” Wlaschiha said. “They wanted spoilers, but I said I couldn’t tell them.”

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also toured the set of Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland in 2014. The monarch was led into the throne room where she met cast members and came face-to-face with the Iron Throne (but she declined an invitation to test it out!).

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Real reason behind prince harry and king charles' feud as royal 'unhappy'.

Ever since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle decided to step back from Royal duties and relocate to America in 2020, it's fair to say that his relationship with his father, King Charles, has been tense. The distance was the first hurdle in their relationship, but the release of Harry's memoir 'Spare' and a subsequent Netflix documentary, where he criticised the Royal family, further escalated the tension.

Royal fans had hoped for a reconciliation between the father and son after Charles' cancer diagnosis earlier this year. However, Royal biographer Robert Hardman has shared his thoughts on the matter, suggesting that the rift won't be healed "anytime soon".

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales this year, Robert, who penned 'Charles III: New King, New Court', suggested that a "trust issue" is at the heart of the ongoing feud, following Harry's revelations about his life under the Royal spotlight.

According to The Independent , "People are still very wounded, particularly Prince William, that these intimate private childhood family moments all spilled out in Harry's book," Hardman stated. "It's not what Harry said, it's the fact that he said it, and he gave away so many secrets. And he was, effectively, at the time of the Queen's death, you know, he was taking notes."

The author conceded that while the book was an "amazing" read, he pointed out that there's more beneath the surface than the public might grasp, reports the Mirror .

"If you get to the bit about his wedding to Meghan [Markle], it boils down really to about four or five pages," he remarked. "Now, as an author, that says to me one thing and one thing only: part two might be on its way." The biographer also suggested that Charles is "unhappy" with the ongoing rift, speculating that the King finds the situation "unsettling."

Yet, a ray of hope for reconciliation shone through from Harry's actions after hearing of his father's cancer diagnosis in February. Upon discovering his father's health issues, Harry immediately flew to the UK to see The King face-to-face, later sharing his thoughts on Good Morning America within the same month. "I love my family," Harry stated.

"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."

This encounter, according to Robert, could be crucial in healing the familial divide. "I thought it was telling that when the cancer diagnosis came through back in February, Prince Harry came straight over," he said.

"I think what encouraged people at the palace and encouraged the king was the fact that afterwards, we didn't then read about it or hear about it. It remained private."

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Katie Price's monthly rent revealed - but fans can't understand how she can afford it

Katie Price has finally moved out of her mansion in Sussex, dubbed 'Mucky Mansion, and into a new four-bedroom rental property, with fans left stunned at the huge monthly rent cost

Amanda Holden risks Ofcom complaints in 'naked dress' in Britain's Got Talent live show

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has stolen the show with a glamorous wet-look dress, as she continues to don risque outfits with the semi-finals continuing

How Prince Harry's role in the Royal Family shifted dramatically with '19 minutes of pain'

Prince Harry has not seen eye to eye with his brother Prince William for years, but one event is said to have made it clear that he had truly "slid down the Royal pecking order"

Prince William ‘needs love and support’ – but he has two ‘brothers’ he can trust after Prince Harry feud

EXCLUSIVE: The Prince of Wales may no longer have a brotherly relationship with Prince Harry, but thankfully he is incredibly close with two other members of his family

Rod Stewart's Son Liam Stewart Marries Nicole Artukovich in Elegant Wedding in Croatia!

The hockey player and his fiancée exchanged vows on Friday, May 31, surrounded by friends and family including his legendary British musician dad

Royal news – live: Kate Middleton ‘considering’ making balcony appearance at Trooping the Colour says insider

Speculation over Kate’s return to royal duties

Prince Harry left in tears as he's supported by Princess Diana's family amid royal feud

Prince Harry has been supported by the family of the late Princess Diana, who have vowed to 'protect him spiritually and emotionally' amid his ongoing feud with the Royal Family

Princess Eugenie Shares New Photo of Sons on Ernest's 1st Birthday with a Cute Comment About His 'Enormous Smile'

The royal mom posted four new pictures to celebrate Ernie's milestone moment

‘34 is now my favorite number’: Stephen King and Barbra Streisand lead celebrity reactions to Trump guilty verdict

John Leguizamo, Ellen Barkin and Lynda Carter also respond to Trump becoming first criminally convicted US president

Princess Beatrice is a summer queen in head-to-toe linen and Chanel heels

Princess Beatrice travelled to Switzerland for a cause close to her heart, the AI For Good Summit, wearing a linen look and Chanel heels

Kim Kardashian's sheer tutu and corset is naked dressing with a balletcore twist

Kim Kardashian stars on the cover of Vogue China going commando in a see-through tutu and corset. She also wears a broken plate as a bra in the same photoshoot.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hand her mum Doria key role in break from royal tradition

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly decided to keep childcare within the family, with the Duchess of Sussex's mother Doria Ragland taking on the role of nanny

Hey, Quick Question: Does Emily Ratajkowski Still Have a Swimwear Brand? [Updated]

Her new swim campaign for Good American — and radio silence from Inamorata — raises a few questions.

Kate Middleton's hair incident with fan at Windsor sparked quick security response

Kate Middleton had her hair grabbed by an overly enthusiastic fan who leaned in for a selfie before a security guard stepped in - but the princess seemed unfazed by the incident

Emily Ratajkowski just tried the trainer and dress combo we will be copying immediately

Emily Ratajkowski perfected the 'wrong shoe theory' with her plunge-neck dress and `bold red trainers street style look - read more

ABBA get a prestigious Swedish knighthood for their pop career that started at Eurovision

The four members of the Swedish pop quartet ABBA, who triumphed at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the peppy love song “Waterloo,” on Friday got one of the most prestigious knighthoods in Sweden from the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf. Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad became “Commander of the First Class” of the order for "very outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music life.” Sweden has several orders, including the Royal Order of Seraphim, which is awarded to heads of state and foreign royals, and the Royal Order of the Polar Star that is given to foreign citizens and stateless persons.

First Lady of Nigeria Clarifies Comments About Meghan Markle amid False Reports

"At no point did she say anything about Meghan's dressing," the office of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu said