KING Charles has joked about being “let out of his cage” as William enjoyed a game of beach volleyball on his first public engagement since Harry returned to Britain.
Charles met military staff and their families today during a visit to the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering at Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, Hampshire.
The monarch apologised to the Army for making a last minute visit to the training base, in what was his first military engagement today since announcing a comeback to public duty.
But the King was all smiles and jokingly said that he had wanted to come as soon as he had been “allowed out of my cage”.
As he was led into the officers’ mess by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Grant, commanding officer of 3RSME, King Charles said to him today: “I do apologise for taking you by surprise, when this opportunity appeared and I had been allowed out of my cage, I wanted to come to have a look.”
Charles was met by the Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson and Major General Eldon Millar before he received a salute from a Quarter Guard comprising officers from the school.
The King, 75, took on the role of Colonel-in-Chief in March last year which used to be held by Queen Elizabeth II.
Arriving at Gibraltar Barracks, in Minley, Wilts, he said: “Thank you so much, I do apologise by taking you by surprise, this opportunity appeared and allowed me out of my cage and wanted to come and have a look.”
Lt Col Robert Grant said afterwards: “We only had, if you take into account the Bank Holiday, only seven or eight days to pull it all together but when you get that call is it possible to put a visit for His Majesty there is only one answer.”
The King was spotting beaming as he chatted with trainees, trainers and their families on a patio at the Officer’s Mess.
Speaking to heavily-pregnant Sophie Mairs, 37, who is six weeks until het due date, the King joked: “Are you sure you should be here today?”
Sophie, whose husband WO2 Barry Mairs, 38, is in the engineers, said afterwards: “I said I couldn’t miss it.
“It’s not every day the King comes to where your husband works.”
Outside Louis Bacon, 6, handed the King a handmade drawing he had made.
Louis said: “I wanted to make something special.”
Six-year-old Lucas Stewart handed the King some honey made on the barracks,
The King said: “Oh, just what I need.”
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has paid a visit to his site in Nansledan, Cornwall, where he is building homes for the homeless on Duchy of Cornwall land.
The royal announced plans to build 24 homes to provide temporary accommodation for local people experiencing homelessness in the area.
In partnership with the Cornish homelessness charity St Petrocs, the homes in Nansledan will come with “wraparound support”.
This will include training and job opportunities for those helped by the project.
Arriving at the site he was greeted by Alastair Martin, secretary of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The royal was introduced to Max, a local who has experienced homelessness himself.
Max told the prince “there’s always hope” as he shared his plans to join the Royal Navy.
William said giving hope to those who need it is “genuinely what we want to do”.
He said: “Give people like you hope has got to be real and it’s got to be effective.
William also spoke to staff about what was driving homelessness in the area and ways in which the situation could change.
Construction is due to begin in September this year, and the first homes are set to be completed in autumn 2025.
It was also confirmed the first phase of development will focus on “creating high quality temporary accommodation that feels like home”, said the Duchy.
Ben Murphy, the Duchy’s estate director, said previously: “As one of his key priorities for the Duchy of Cornwall, Prince William asked us to address the homelessness challenge within Cornwall and other areas where the estate resides.
“The Duchy is well-known for integrating high quality affordable housing into the new communities built on its land, and Prince William is determined to ensure that we continue to be part of the solution when it comes to the housing crisis.”
The Prince of Wales became patron of the homelessness charity Centrepoint in 2004 and has tirelessly worked to provide support for those in need.
This opportunity appeared and allowed me out of my cage
King Charles
Henry Meacock, St Petrocs charity’s chief executive, added: “With the Duchy of Cornwall, we believe we can deliver a truly exemplary project embedded in the local community which will provide a route for many more people out of homelessness for good.”
William has already launched Homewards, a five-year programme led by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales to end homelessness in six key areas across Britain.
It is working on forming locally- led coalitions of individuals, organisations, and businesses who will work together to create and deliver a tailored plan to tackle the issue.
Wills also visited Fistral beach, Newquay, today with surfers and teams who keep the sand clean.
He enjoyed a game of volleyball on one of the country’s most popular beaches.
NO REUNION
William’s royal engagement comes after he avoided estranged brother Harry during his whirlwind three days in Britain as he jets off to Nigeria with Meghan.
And, the duke, 39, revealed he would also not be meeting King Charles on his fleeting trip home as the Monarch has a “full programme”.
A spokesperson for the duke said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Insiders claimed the duke made multiple attempts to arrange a visit with his dad before flying 5,000 miles for the three day trip.
Harry travelled from California to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon.
He left the service at 6.45pm – just three miles away from his father who attended first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.
Royal expert Robert Jobson spoke to The Sun exclusively about the royal pair not meeting.
“People think if Harry rolls into town there’s going to be some sort of reconciliation,” he said.
“But you’re going to realize there’s been a lot of water under the bridge, a lot of portrayal of trust.
“That takes time to rebuild, to rebuild, and I don’t think we’re anywhere near the stage of rebuilding trust.”
He added: “Harry effectively took it by himself to come see his dad when he said that he that he had been diagnosed with cancer that would be seen by as many as a good thing.
“But at the time I think the King didn’t want all the media circus that would accompany Harry’s arrival.”
Meanwhile, royal author Ingrid Seward claimed Charles “snubbed” Harry as he feared he’d be used as a PR tool to boost his son’s image.
She explained: “He’s the father of Harry. It would look nice if they met.
“He probably he doesn’t want it to be used as a PR opportunity.
“Or maybe Harry’s being the one being difficult and we we just don’t know.”
SECOND SNUB
And, in another snub, the King also revealed Prince William would next week be taking charge of Harry’s former helicopter regiment.
The Monarch said his eldest son will be honoured as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
The event will take place in front of an Apache — the type of helicopter Harry flew when serving in Afghanistan.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: “This timing is deliberate.
“It’s to send a deliberate message to Harry that the Royal Family has not forgotten what has been happening over the last four years.”
‘VERY SUPPORTIVE’
However, the duke was backed by Princess Diana’s siblings at the Invictus bash.
Earl Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes joined him at the star-studded event.
It sends a clear signal to the Royal Family and to Harry that Diana’s family are there for him
Ingrid Seward
Harry hugged his late mum’s brother and sister outside St Paul’s Cathedral ahead of the service.
Three cousins — George McCorquodale, 39, Louis Spencer, 30, and Lara Spencer, 18 — sat in a row behind.
Ingrid Seward added: “They are very supportive of Harry and always have been.
“It sends a clear signal to the Royal Family and to Harry that Diana’s family are there for him.
“At his address at Diana’s funeral, Charles Spencer said he would look out for William and Harry in her place.”
RIGHT AS REIGN
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla mingled among 8,000 guests at their famous garden party.
His Majesty, back to public duties despite cancer treatment, led the royals at Buckingham Palace from 4pm.
They were later joined by Princess Anne, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, plus the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The only working royals missing were the Prince and Princess of Wales.
William had conducted an investiture in Windsor earlier in the day, and Kate is not carrying out public duties due to her own cancer fight.
Harry & the King can't play happy families with such huge public attention, says The Sun's Matt Wilkinson
By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor
Prince Harry is in London but he won’t meet his father The King.
The Duke of Sussex arrived from LA alone without Meghan or their children for a busy diary of events marking 10 years of his Invictus Games.
Before setting off from California it is understood Harry was said to have been “keen’ to see the King for only the second time since his cancer diagnosis.
It is rather telling that confirmation there will be no meeting has come from the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex rather than Buckingham Palace.
His team say “it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program”.
They add: “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Now, the word that jumps out is “priorities”.
The King, we understand, is busy as he returns to public duty.
For instance, on Tuesday while Harry was in London the King was carrying out his constitutional duty and meeting the Prime Minister of Fiji at the palace.
He is also set to host a palace garden party and weekly audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
And Harry’s diary is packed full for three days with Invictus. However, they will be at times just two miles apart and risk even driving past each other on London’s roads.
Some observers may see this as “sad” that father and son cannot find time.
Others may say that it’s understandable as both have work commitments and “priorities”.
But maybe there has just been too much water under the bridge for father and son to play happy families amid such huge public attention.
