King Charles III is doing everything possible to put the former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s scandal behind him. His Majesty’s next big move might be just enough to do that.
The King’s expected trip to the United States in April 2026 is already getting a lot of attention. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have contributed to the attention.
King Charles Weighs U.S. Visit but Unlikely to See Son, Royal Expert Says
One prominent royal commentator claims the Monarch is unlikely to meet with his estranged son, Prince Harry, during the visit.
Royal author Robert Jobson said that while King Charles hopes his health will allow him to travel, any detour to California would risk overshadowing the purpose of the state visit.
Jobson noted that even a discreet meeting on the East Coast — quietly floated by some Palace insiders — would draw global media attention.
Jobson wrote in Hello: “But there will be no detour. While some close to the palace quietly suggest the Sussexes could travel east for a discreet meeting in Washington, their presence would dominate headlines, eclipsing the state visit, so for that reason, it remains improbable.”
According to reports, Queen Camilla might be there, but the information has not yet been officially confirmed.
Prince Harry: A Relationship Defined by Distance
Something is clear: King Charles is not going to let the personal overshadow the professional. The Duke of Sussex made a different choice not long ago.
Despite the tensions between father and son, those close to the royal household say Prince Harry still made time to see his father during his September trip to London.
Yet any potential reunion in the U.S. appears unlikely, leaving unresolved a deeply personal matter: the King’s limited relationship with his youngest grandchildren, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
King Charles is reportedly “very sad” about the distance. Archie left the U.K. for the United States when he was still an infant, and the King has only had a single chance to see Lilibet in person — during the Sussexes’ trip home for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Meghan Markle Reveals Family Traditions On Holiday Special
The Sussexes have decided to keep moving forward despite this heartbreaking reality.
Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan has returned with a Christmas-themed episode. In one of the new segments, the Duchess of Sussex recreates her mother’s cherished Christmas Eve gumbo — a tradition rooted in her family’s Southern heritage.
Joined on set by chef Tom Colicchio, Meghan explained that the dish is made only once a year. Prince Harry walks in to sample the dish. The atmosphere then shifts in a surprising way.
Doria Ragland’s Gumbo Takes Center Stage
Harry’s response quickly becomes one of the standout moments in the episode. And he managed to catch Meghan off guard.
The Duke told cameras that gumbo has long been one of his favorite dishes, adding with a smile that he prefers his mother-in-law, Doria Ragland’s version.
The father of two stated, “You must have known I was coming. Gumbo is one of my favourites — especially her mum’s. But before the fish goes in. I’m not so sure it’s as good as your mum’s, but it’s certainly close.”
The comment, equal parts candid and affectionate, surprised Meghan, who laughed as she said her mother would “love him” for such praise.
People familiar with the couple often point out how fond Harry is of Doria. They say that the two get along with an ease that feels genuine and comforting.
Insiders also believe that Ragland plays a quiet but constant role in the children’s lives, offering the kind of stability and family traditions that help anchor the household.
The viral gumbo moment shows that Harry has a lot of love to give, but his father is not ready for it after the memoir Spare debacle.
