Prince Harry is not expected to return to the UK this week to celebrate his father King Charles’ 77th birthday, according to a former royal butler.
The King will turn 77 on November 14, though details of how he plans to mark the occasion remain unclear. However, one royal commentator believes the Duke of Sussex will stay in the US rather than travel home for the event.
A Strained Relationship
In September, Harry, 41, and King Charles had a private tea at Clarence House — their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024. The encounter raised hopes of a potential reconciliation between father and son.
Their relationship has reportedly been tense in recent years, particularly following the release of Harry’s memoir Spare and a series of candid interviews in which he and his wife Meghan Markle made damaging claims about the royal family.
“He Won’t Come Specifically for It”
Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for King Charles from 2004 to 2011 when he was still Prince of Wales, believes a birthday visit from Harry is highly unlikely.
Speaking to AceOdds, Harrold said, “I think Prince Harry will only come to the UK if he has other business here. He won’t come specifically for it.”
He continued, “It’s not a big birthday. If it were a major milestone with a big celebration or party, it might be different. But he’s turning 77 — it’s not a big deal.”
A King Who Prefers Low-Key Celebrations
Having worked closely with Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House for seven years, Harrold noted that the monarch prefers a simple, understated approach to his birthday.
“He normally works on his birthday anyway,” Harrold explained. “The King doesn’t like fuss. He always used to say he didn’t want fuss for his birthdays. It’s just another year for him.”
Harrold added that even if Harry were to suggest visiting, Charles would probably decline. “Not for any dramatic reason — he just doesn’t like people making a fuss.”
Odds on a Visit
According to AceOdds, the likelihood of Harry traveling to the UK for his father’s birthday is estimated at just 5/1 (17%), while the chances of him remaining in the US are 1/4 (83%).
Harry currently lives in Montecito, California, with Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Why the King Has Two Birthdays
Like many British monarchs before him, King Charles celebrates two birthdays each year — his actual birthday on November 14 and his official birthday in June, marked by the Trooping the Colour parade.
This centuries-old tradition, dating back more than 260 years, was established to ensure the sovereign’s public celebration takes place in better weather. The June event features a grand military parade in London attended by members of the royal family, serving as a symbolic tribute to the reigning monarch.
