Prince Harry has returned to the U.K. following the news of his father King Charles‘ cancer diagnosis, but according to reports, his visit may not entail a reunion with his brother, Prince William.
The Duke of Sussex, aged 39, arrived at London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday and proceeded to Clarence House, the long-standing residence of King Charles, aged 75.
Reports suggest that the last time the father and son were together was during the monarch’s coronation ceremony in May, which Harry attended before swiftly departing for the airport immediately after the event.
Prince Harry undertook the journey solo from California, where he resides with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, 4-year-old son Prince Archie and 2-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet.
Despite Prince Harry’s meeting with King Charles on Tuesday, just one day after the public announcement of the monarch’s cancer diagnosis, a royal source has indicated that there are currently “no plans” for Prince Harry and Prince William to reunite.
Prince William, aged 41, has been occupied with numerous responsibilities of his own. In recent weeks, he has taken a step back from royal engagements to devote time to caring for his three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — while his wife, Kate Middleton, recuperates from her recent abdominal surgery.
The Princess of Wales, aged 42, is not expected to resume public duties until at least Easter, as previously stated by the palace.
The Prince of Wales is scheduled to resume public duties on Wednesday, beginning with an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle followed by the annual fundraising gala for the London Air Ambulance.
As the heir to the throne, Prince William may assume some responsibilities on behalf of his father in addition to his own roster of engagements in the upcoming weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter. However, there are currently no plans to appoint Counsellors of State to act on King Charles’ behalf. Counsellors of State are members of the royal family designated to carry out constitutional duties for the monarch in the event of his absence or incapacity. The current Counsellors of State include Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
While heirs in other royal families across the world may serve as regents when the monarch is indisposed or overseas, the situation in the U.K. differs. According to the House of Commons Library, regents are not permanently installed in Britain, and their appointment is restricted to specific circumstances.