22 January 2024 , 14:20
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Prince Harry and King Charles could overcome their "incredibly strained" relationship as the monarch prepares to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate, according to an expert.
Buckingham Palace has said the King's condition is benign but he will undergo a "corrective procedure". It's been reported that Harry may not have found out about his father's prostate diagnosis before the news was made public.
Relationship expert Louella Alderson suggested this doesn't bode well for their relationship. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, she said: "If Prince Harry found out about King Charles' surgery through the media, then it only adds to the likelihood that their relationship is incredibly strained.
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Prince Harry is believed to have reached out to his father (Getty Images)"It could have been a shock for Harry to find out about his father's health issues through the news rather than a personal call or message from his family." The relationship expert said it would be "understandable" if Harry felt "hurt and disappointed by this".
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However, she added: "If they aren’t on speaking terms, it may not come as a surprise that he was left out of the loop. If true, it indicates a lack of communication and closeness within their relationship."
Louella continued: "If there are trust issues between them, then this could also be a reason why Prince Harry was not informed directly about his father's surgery. It's possible that Prince Charles deliberately chose to announce his surgery publicly to avoid any speculation or rumours surrounding his health.
The family tensions seem to be lessening (Samir Hussein/WireImage)"This could have been a way for him to protect his privacy and control the narrative. If he feels he cannot trust Prince Harry with his personal information, it also suggests a lack of trust in their father-son relationship."
Nevertheless, Louella believes there is a way forward for Harry and Charles amid the King's health scare. She told us: "The significant disconnect between them doesn’t appear to be improving at the moment. However, times of stress and ill health can bring families closer together, and Prince Harry might find he wants to reach out to his father at a time like this."
Indeed, it's been reported that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have given their support to the King. They also sent well wishes to the Princess of Wales after she underwent abdominal surgery.
Last week, a source told The Mirror: "The King and the Princess of Wales have received support from Prince Harry and Meghan regarding their health. The Duke and Duchess contacted both parties in different ways to pass on their concern and best wishes."