I imagine - because none of us know - that King Charles and his son talked prior to Harry’s arrival. None of us know how the decision not to meet evolved. Maybe Charles is responsible and maybe not. Harry’s spokesman issued the only statement that we’re privy to as the palace is unlikely to comment one way or the other.
It could turn out to be another case of “recollections vary” in its own way.
Saw this article saying Harry was demanding certain conditions be in place before he meet his father. It was in the NYPost (and if you can’t trust the NYPost, who can you trust?). Truth is, we’ll never know. Prince Harry won't see King Charles after making 'certain demands': expert
Hate to see any family fractured like this.
I think all of this could have been avoided if Charles stepped up and been a great Dad. Defended his son to the press, etc. A selfish man.
I read something awhile back that said at the end of a man’s life, the only opinion of him that matters is that of his children.
A woman’s life too!
That is really interesting that the Spencers show up en masse. (The article I read only mentioned Charles Spencer). Have they ever all shown up like that to any event for William or Harry in the past? Very fascinating.
Here’s a different perspective from a source as equally biased and inaccurate as the New York Post pointing out allegedly intentional snubs from KC. 
Not quite fair:
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.
It’s not like it’s a spur of the moment garden party but rather one planned well in advance. Note also that Prince William and Catherine didn’t attend. I bet others in the royal family had this on their calendars for a long time. (I read the tradition started with Queen Victoria.)
I don’t know if the Spencer’s have shown up en masse before. All I’ve seen in recent days is the word “snub” in many UK tabloid headlines. But the first paragraph of the following article explains the pledge the Spencer’s made concerning William and Harry.
That post was a tongue-in-cheek response to the New York Post article citing an anonymous royal source saying Harry made unreasonable demands. I think that post was also tongue-in-cheek. But here’s a Newsweek article that speaks to what appears to be an intentional and petty snub, and the difference between playing military and being military.
As parents, some of us will never understand being too busy to see your kid, and not showing support and pride in a genuine, significant, and altruistic accomplishment which the Invictus Games is.
Harry isn’t in the army, and he’s not getting any appointments from the King. Is William not supposed to get any appointments because Harry will feel left out? Spoiler, he is being left out.
I don’t know why the king decided not to meet with him at all, but do understand why he didn’t go to the ceremonies. The king has a schedule. Did Harry check with him to see if he could come on certain dates and times? Way in advance?
No one is making concessions. Harry doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong, even the book, so he’s not willing to concede anything, but IMO he’d better hurry up as Charles isn’t in good health and William isn’t in a forgiving mood.
I have learned a long ago that most of the time “I am busy” just means they don’t care enough for you to see you. It’s reality not about not being able to find time.
What a terrible father.
The reality for all of us in the peanut gallery is we DO NOT know what conversations have or have not happened within the royal family. There is lots of speculation and information from “unnamed sources, close friends, etc.”; however, my guess is none of the sources quoted really know what is going on either. Harry left, wrote a book, has done multiple interviews about his family, and perhaps he is the one who really is not interested in connecting.
He goes to the UK periodically, I think a necessity if you are not a US citizen, to keep his ability to stay in the US?
I don’t think any of us will ever understand what it’s like to be King. Queen Elizabeth was also a distant, some would say bad, parent. But she had made it clear from very early on that her priority was the country (and the British Empire/Commonwealth) and that took precedence over her family relationships:
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.“
At least Harry is allowed to return to the UK and continue to work his pet projects there, which is more than other abdicating royals were permitted.
Any interaction with the royal family will no doubt be discussed in his next book.
Clips from the article:
“Victoria Newton and Tony Gallagher, now editors of the Rupert Murdoch titles the Sun and the Times respectively, are named, as are the editor of the Sunday Times, Ben Taylor, and the Mail on Sunday, David Dillon.”
“Restrictions on identifying them were lifted when Associated Newspapers filed its written defence at London’s High Court, which was made public on Wednesday.
The publisher denies carrying out unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, tapping, bugging and burglary, or commissioning any illegal acts.”
“News UK, a subsidiary of Murdoch’s News Corp, declined to comment.”
I’m in the camp of things/conversations/accusations must have been much worse than any of us know between Harry and “everyone else” for their to be NO room in their schedules for a quick catch up, NO room for any public acknowledgment of care and concern for each other.
I know “we” are not “them” but most (most, not all) of us would probably move heaven and earth to see our kids/parents who normally live thousands of miles away and happen to be in your vicinity and to just grab a quick hug or conversation. Like if all the time I get is to sit in the limo with you for 10 mins on my way somewhere else, I’m making it happen.
Sad, very sad. What would be interesting to know is if Harry desires this - the opportunity to not necessarily make amends but just to have a little cordial time. Or does he not want that and all our thoughts here are for naught?
I do think if he is coming on their turf that it’s in the King or Williams court (pun!) to make a visit happen. No one is asking them to make up the guest room for Harry - just extend a bit of caring and concern. A wee bit.
I would think that anyone who chooses to publicly share family grievances (especially of a famous/royal family) and private details of events should expect that would seriously impact their relationships with the family members who were affected or whose private moments/lapses/whatever were made public in a big, splashy way (Oprah, Netflix documentary, memoir.)
I wouldn’t blame family members for not wanting to have a close relationship with someone who publicly betrayed them by sharing happenings where there would have likely been an expectation of privacy.
I agree it’s all sad, but don’t really pay much attention to it (haven’t seen Oprah or Netflix doc, or read his book)…this thread keeps me updated lol.
Clearly there are two sides to every story combined with a boatload of opinions we all have. All which we develop for various reasons.
But I have to say that these choices to see or not to see each other really are public anyway…by the choices they make (timing of trips/events), info given or leaked by family or media…and it’s not like we didn’t have any clue of the disarray before the book.
I think people put to much “blame” on the book. The book is just a compilation of stuff we’ve heard or read about anyway through the years.
Definitely a dysfunctional family, like many.
Again, I didn’t read the book, but just to take one example, I read in the media that the book contained details of a physical fight Harry and William had in Harry and Meghan’s cottage…personally I think it’s inappropriate and shows poor judgment to share something like that publicly.
Obviously it’s noteworthy, and potentially damaging, as William is the future king of England. It seems naive that anyone could think sharing that info wouldn’t harm, or possibly end, the relationship.
I respect that other posters here might see things differently.
Which do we prioritize the potential damage done to William’s image or the emotional damage done to either of them during the fight? Did the publishing of the story harm the relationship or did the real life act of the fight damage the relationship?