This week, with Prince Harry's brief return to the UK, there was speculation about whether he could reunite with the newly enthroned King Charles III, but an unexpected meeting stole the show.
According to British media on May 11, on Thursday, when Prince Harry devoted himself to the 10th anniversary of the "Unconquerable Games" created for disabled veterans, the king chose to spend time with former football superstar David Beckham, which attracted widespread public and media attention.
The main purpose of Harry's trip was to participate in the commemoration of the Unconquerable Games at St. Paul's Cathedral, an event he founded in 2014 to demonstrate his deep concern for supporting veterans.
Harry was attending an event at church and the king was hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace, and although the father and son were only two kilometres apart, the long-awaited reunion did not happen.
On the contrary, the meeting between King Charles III and David Beckham in Highgrove, Gloucestershire, was not only another friendly exchange between the two public figures, but also reflected their shared pursuit of the common good. The many interactions between the two in the past, as well as the involvement of Victoria Beckham, have deepened the bond between the two families.
According to a royal insider, the king chose to meet with Beckham instead of Harry out of consideration to avoid "dramatic incidents".
Tensions within the royal family have not fully dissipated since the Duchess of Sussex stepped down from royal duties and subsequently publicly criticized the royal family in a Netflix documentary and Harry's memoir "Spare Tire". The royal family is still waiting for an apology from Harry and Meghan, who see the couple as a "painful interference" that they do not want to face.
Harry's official spokesman for not being able to meet with his father expressed understanding and confirmed that no meeting will be scheduled during the visit due to the king's full schedule.
"The many inquiries and ongoing speculation about whether the Duke will meet his father during this week's trip to the UK unfortunately cannot materialize due to His Majesty's busy schedule," the spokesman said on Tuesday. The Duke naturally understood his father's schedule and priorities, and wanted to see him as soon as possible. ”
King Charles III's meeting with David Beckham showcased the resonance of the two men's philanthropic work while also underlining Beckham's image as a stabilizing force, especially in times of turmoil for the royal family. Their conversation about the King's Foundation (established in 1986) further cemented Beckham's status as a respected figure in philanthropy, linking him to the tradition of royal patronage.