Prince Harry was reportedly out of the loop about his father King Charles III’s recent hospitalization.
According to The Sun’s royal editor Matt Wilkinson, the Duke of Sussex, 40, “wasn’t told” about his dad’s most recent medical issue.
“My understanding is that they didn’t want to add to the drama,” Wilkinson claimed during the Friday, April 4, episode of “A Right Royal Podcast” from Hello! magazine. “They didn’t want to add to make it seem like it was more serious than it was. Whereas when he [was diagnosed with cancer], they told Harry before, and Harry flew back.”
Per Wilkinson, Harry found out about his father’s hospital stay “through the news, not by Buckingham Palace ringing him or his team up to explain.”
King Charles III Samir Hussein – Pool/Getty Images
Charles, 76, was admitted to the hospital on March 27. “Following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer this morning, The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital,” the palace announced in a statement at the time. “His Majesty’s afternoon engagements were, therefore, postponed.”
Royal watchers have followed King Charles III’s health battle after he was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in February 2024. “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read at the time. “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form […]
After his short hospitalization, the king returned to Clarence House to recuperate.
“As a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s diary program will also be rescheduled,” Buckingham Palace’s statement concluded. “His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”
Prince Charles and Prince Harry attend the “Our Planet” global premiere at Natural History Museum on April 04, 2019 in London, England. Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
One day later, Charles left London, where Clarence House is located, to travel to Highgrove, the royal family’s country estate in Gloucestershire, England. The monarch then returned to his usual working week on Tuesday, April 1.
Charles’ hospitalization came just over one year after the palace announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following a procedure to correct an enlarged prostate.
The king addressed his health in his annual Christmas Day speech late last year, thanking his family and medical team for their support.
“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,” he said in December 2024. “I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”
