Watch The Sun’s Royal Exclusive interview with Arthur Edwards MBE
PRINCE Harry is the “Prodigal Son” of the Royal Family but King Charles was “really upset” with book Spare, an expert has claimed.
Photographer Arthur Edwards MBE told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that he hopes for reconciliation between the Duke of Sussex and the Royal Family.
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4Arthur Edwards MBE said Harry has ‘just lost his way a bit, in my view’Credit: The Mega Agency
4Charles and Harry in 2019. Mr Edwards said that he hopes for reconciliationCredit: Getty
His comments come after Prince Harry allegedly turned down an invite from King Charles to stay at a royal residence during the 39-year-old’s three-night visit to London.
Harry was on a whistle-stop tour to promote the Invictus Games this month, but did not see the King.
Harry was said to have made several requests for a meeting and blamed the King’s “full programme” when it didn’t happen.
But Charles did agree to put Harry up at a secret royal residence knowing he does not have a UK base, according to The Telegraph.
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Harry said no because it would leave him staying in a “visible location with public entrance and exit points and no police protection”, it has been claimed.
Harry ended up staying in a hotel, which he could leave unnoticed.
Speaking to Royal Exclusive, Mr Edwards told host Matt Wilkinson: “Harry’s just lost his way a bit, in my view.
“I think he is the prodigal son, in my view, and he’s got to think about what he’s doing and think what damage he’s done.
“Everybody is capable of forgiveness and I’m sure – look, Harry, he is the prodigal son, but you know the prodigal son did return to the fold and let’s all hope that happens one day.
“I hope it does happen.”
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Mr Edwards had earlier said that Harry was behaving “appallingly”, and family was “the most important thing in your life”.
He added: “I imagine the King’s unhappy with Harry being around people where he could learn stories and hear gossip and put it in his next book or his next podcast or next radio or TV interview and it looks like he’s well informed.
“Of course the King felt very upset with that last thing Harry did, the book [Spare], especially what he said about his lovely wife Camilla.
“Because, I mean they’re a very loved-up couple and you know, to offend our Queen, like he did in that book, you know, really upset the King.
“I don’t think he could easily forgive that. And I imagine the King’s had strong words with him over it.
“Probably the reason he didn’t want to go and stay with him because he probably would get another lot.”
It’s not been reported where exactly Prince Harry was offered a room, but it is thought St James’ Palace is a strong contender.
It’s directly opposite Clarence house where the King stays when he’s in London.By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor
Prince Harry is in London but he won’t meet his father The King.
The Duke of Sussex arrived from LA alone without Meghan or their children for a busy diary of events marking 10 years of his Invictus Games.
Before setting off from California it is understood Harry was said to have been “keen’ to see the King for only the second time since his cancer diagnosis.
It is rather telling that confirmation there will be no meeting has come from the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex rather than Buckingham Palace.
His team say “it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program”.
They add: “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Now, the word that jumps out is “priorities”.
The King, we understand, is busy as he returns to public duty.
For instance, on Tuesday while Harry was in London the King was carrying out his constitutional duty and meeting the Prime Minister of Fiji at the palace.
He is also set to host a palace garden party and weekly audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
And Harry’s diary is packed full for three days with Invictus. However, they will be at times just two miles apart and risk even driving past each other on London’s roads.
Some observers may see this as “sad” that father and son cannot find time.
Others may say that it’s understandable as both have work commitments and “priorities”.
But maybe there has just been too much water under the bridge for father and son to play happy families amid such huge public attention
Prince Harry claimed the King was “too busy” to meet.
A spokesman said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Since then it’s been revealed the King did have a packed programme that week, but had made changes that would let him see his son.
The Duke arrived in London on May 7 for a three-day promotional tour of the Invictus Games, which is celebrating its ten year anniversary.
On May 8 Harry spoke at an event in St Paul’s Cathedral where he gave a Bible reading from Corinthians that stressed different people have different gifts and strengths.
As Harry’s event got underway, The King met members of the public at a Buckingham Palace garden party just over two miles away.
The prince was also the surprise guest at a party hosted by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports the bereaved kids of military personnel.
Harry has been in legal battles with the Home Office over security during visits to the UK.
Harry, Charles, and William at Brentwood Cathedral on September 11, 2013Credit: Getty
Arthur Edwards MBE was speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show
The prince has only been allowed police protection when taking part in royal events, according to the Telegraph.
Such instances include the late Queen’s funeral or when he was taken to meet the King from Heathrow in February following Charles’ shock cancer diagnosis.
When travelling to and from his hotel in February, the prince only had his own, private bodyguards, the Telegraph alleges.
He now has to give the Metropolitan Police 28 days’ notice if he wants to come to the UK with security provisions.
Each request is dealt with on an individual basis by Ravec, the committee overseeing the protection of royalty and public figures.
Harry’s whistle-stop February visit took just 26 hours while he spent just 20 hours in London for the King’s Coronation last May.
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The Duke spent between 30 and 40 minutes with Charles at Clarence House before the Monarch departed for Sandringham via helicopter.
Harry and Meghan have been without a UK home since the The Sun revealed they were evicted from Frogmore Cottage last year.