Katie Nicholl, royal correspondent for Vanity Fair and co-host of "The Royals Uncensored," discusses Harrys UK security battle, the kings offer of a royal residence and growing palace frustration.
King Charles III is said to be "fed up" with the drama that continues to follow his estranged son.
The claim comes from British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard following The Mirror's report that the Duke of Sussex is "frantically" trying to secure private security for his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two young children so they can travel to the U.K.
PALACE AIDES 'DON'T TRUST' PRINCE HARRY ALONE WITH KING CHARLES, EXPERTS SAY
King Charles III (left) walks with his son Prince Harry as they arrive at St. George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022, ahead of the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II. (David Rose/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
"Of course, grandfather Charles wants to see his Montecito grandchildren," said Chard. "He just does not want the Sussex drama. King Charles is fed up — fed up with the rolling media briefings, the last-minute changes of plan, the security fight being litigated in public and in court.
"Then there was the accommodation offer made, declined and then re-requested. The visit with the children is confirmed, then canceled and then maybe back on. It pulls the monarchy into a circus it cannot control."
Britain's King Charles III reacts to the heat during a visit to the humid climate of the "Giants of the Galapagos" enclosure at ZSL London Zoo to celebrate the zoo's 200th anniversary in central London on July 9, 2026. (Richard Pohle / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
"The reputational damage is already done," Chard said. "To bring the Sussexes back into the fold publicly now would look like the institution surrendering to pressure. If Harry and Meghan want the king to meet his grandchildren, it will have to be strictly private, properly planned and without the press in tow. The Sussexes will have to agree to the king's terms to avoid the royal family becoming the laughingstock of the world."
WATCH: KING CHARLES WENT 'ABOVE AND BEYOND' FOR PRINCE HARRY: EXPERT
Harry's return to his home country has been troubled from the start.
After reports that the prince would visit the U.K. with his family, the U.K. government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences, prompting him to travel alone on July 6. He is expected to remain there through July 11 for events highlighting the Invictus Games.
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaves following a visit to Birmingham Children's Hospital in the city of Birmingham, central England, on July 9, 2026, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the very first WellChild Nurse. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry is seen walking behind King Charles during the procession for the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022, in London. Harry has been estranged from his family since he and his family moved to California in 2020. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Harry's troubles have only deepened. On July 7, the Duke of Sussex lost his yearslong privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. The case involved Harry and six other claimants, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley. The High Court dismissed their claims after finding they failed to prove unlawful information gathering.
A courtroom sketch of Prince Harry made on Jan. 21, 2026. The royal made history in 2023 when he became the first senior royal in more than a century to testify in court. (Reuters/Julia Quenzler )
Associated Newspapers Limited called the ruling an "overwhelming victory" and a "magnificent vindication." Harry said the court denied him the justice and accountability he sought. The publisher has long denied the allegations, calling them "preposterous" and maintaining the articles were based on lawful sources, including friends, royal aides and publicists.
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, visits the Birmingham Children's Hospital in the city of Birmingham, central England, on July 9, 2026. (Aaron Chown/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince William, Prince of Wales, meets young people and volunteers in the Common Room at Eagle House on July 9, 2026, in Hastings, England. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry, seen here on July 9, 2026, has been traveling alone. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
The Sussexes lost their taxpayer-funded security after they stepped back as senior working royals. Harry was denied the restoration of that security by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, departs from The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice at Chatham House on July 7, 2026, in London. (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
Christopher Andersen is author of "The King: The Life of Charles III." (Gallery Books)
"The idea that the king would love to have a relationship with his grandchildren is no secret," said Andersen.
During happier times, Prince Harry is seen chatting with his father, the former Prince Charles, on April 25, 2015, in Gallipoli, Turkey. (David Caird - Pool/Getty Images)
"That has been the case from the beginning. Don't forget that Charles stepped up to walk Meghan halfway down the aisle when she married Harry because her own father didn't show. King Charles was always very fond of Meghan, so, to a large degree, he also feels betrayed by her. It's a very complex situation, and maybe even more complicated by the behind-the-scenes intrigues of palace operatives."
Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the former Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, during their wedding in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. (Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaves Chatham House after attending the Invictus Games Foundation conference in London on July 7, 2026. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
People magazine previously reported that ahead of Harry's trip, his team spent several days exploring ways to make the visit safe through enhanced private security arrangements. Palace sources said Harry initially declined an invitation to stay at a royal residence before accepting it on Saturday.
Harry's spokesperson told People that an offer for the Duke of Sussex to stay at Buckingham Palace during his London visit was withdrawn after he had formally accepted it. Palace sources, however, disputed that account, saying Harry failed to respond by the deadline and that his later acceptance came only after arrangements could no longer be made.
Britain's King Charles III (center) hosts a reception for recipients of the King's Award for Enterprise 2026 at St. James' Palace in London on July 8, 2026. (Aaron Chown/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, arrives at Chatham House in central London on July 7, 2026, to attend the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice, as part of the One Year to Go celebrations for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
"I've never doubted that King Charles would love to know Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet," she said.
"The tragedy is that affection isn't what's missing — trust is. I think King Charles can long for a relationship with his grandchildren while recognizing that any meeting carries institutional and reputational risks. The king's heart may say yes. His experience tells him to proceed very carefully. The reunion begins with rebuilding confidence that family moments won't become public commodities."
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, looks on as Britain's King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey after the coronation ceremonies in central London on May 6, 2023. He was sitting a few rows away from his family. (Ben Stansall/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Harry has been estranged from his family since he and his wife stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing what they described as unbearable intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.
From left: Prince William, Prince of Wales, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Thistle Service at St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 1, 2026. (Aaron Chown/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
After moving to California, they aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare," further strained relations. The palace has never publicly commented on the book.
Following the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement, remarking, "Some recollections may vary."
This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, left, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey. (Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)
While Archie, 7, was born in the U.K., Lilibet, 5, was born in California. Charles met his granddaughter only once, during the family's 2022 visit to Britain.
A general view of Buckingham Palace on July 6, 2026, in London, England. Prince Harry has been denied a stay at Buckingham Palace during the London leg of his visit to the UK because he missed the deadline to accept King Charles III's invitation, royal officials claim. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
"The relationship between King Charles and the Sussexes is undoubtedly distant, and he is wary of them," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said. "As the world knows, there is a rift in the royal family, and [it’s believed] that William wants nothing to do with them. The king's biggest priority right now is the future of the monarchy. He also knows William, Catherine and their family are its future."
BATPrince Harry's book on display in a book store on Jan. 11, 2023, in Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
"Even if there were a meeting, any true relationship takes time," Fordwich said. "The rest of the royal family, particularly Prince William, is extremely wary."
From left: Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a ceremony to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018, in London. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022, in Windsor, England. (Getty Images)
"Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book," he said. "Of course, they will never forgive me for a lot of things."
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