During a formal state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron, King Charles delivered a speech that sparked renewed speculation about the strained relationship within the royal family—especially between the monarch and his youngest son, Prince Harry.

While welcoming President Macron and other dignitaries to Windsor Castle, the King referenced his son, Prince William, in a way that seemed deliberate and symbolic. He noted the historical significance of the castle, which dates back to William, Duke of Normandy, and pointed out that “my son, the Prince of Wales… has made Windsor his home with his family, like so many of our predecessors.”

Though the speech celebrated the UK’s deep ties with France and included praise for President Macron and his wife Brigitte, many observers noted a conspicuous absence: there was no mention at all of Prince Harry or his family.

Observers see a message between the lines

The omission comes just months after Prince Harry publicly expressed his hope for a reconciliation with his father and brother, saying in a televised interview that he would “love a reconciliation” and acknowledging his father’s cancer diagnosis. At the time, Harry also shared his uncertainty about returning to live in the UK, citing concerns over personal security and unresolved tensions with the royal household.