Charles is far more concerned about Philip’s health than Oprah’s interview
THE Prince of Wales is much more preoccupied with his father’s health than Meghan and Harry’s US chat show appearance, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Charles is said to be ‘deeply worried’ about the wellbeing of Prince Philip, who was last night improving after a successful heart procedure.
A source said of the future King: ‘He is a man who feels emotions keenly and is far more concerned about the Duke of Edinburgh than whatever Oprah Winfrey is up to in California.’
Philip is today spending his 20th day in hospital, but it is hoped he will be well enough to be reunited with the Queen soon. The 99-year-old had surgery last Wednesday at St Bartholomew’s in Central London, a leading NHS cardiac centre, before being moved back to the private King Edward VII hospital on Friday.
Buckingham Palace said he is expected to remain in hospital for ‘continuing treatment’ for a number of days. He was admitted to hospital on February 16 after feeling unwell at Windsor Castle, Berkshire.
It was later revealed he was undergoing treatment for an infection and then was transferred last Monday for treatment on a pre-existing heart condition. The palace refused to comment on the operation, but it is known the Duke had a stent fitted in 2011.
Meanwhile, sources say that while Harry and Meghan’s expected revelations have made the Prince of Wales ‘very sad’, he is still in contact with his younger son. They speak on a regular basis, although they have not discussed the content of the interview and Charles is not thought to have intervened to try to stop the Sussexes going ahead with the plan.
A source said: ‘They have maintained a close father and son relationship for a long time and they leave the work discussions to the men in grey suits.’
It is widely accepted that Charles and Harry haven’t always had the easiest of relationships. Royal insiders say it would have been irritating to the Prince of Wales to see Harry recently defending Netflix drama The Crown, which paints the young Charles as a cruel and heartless cad.
When the latest series was released, there was concern in the palace that the drama had taken liberties – portraying Diana as the victim and painting Charles as a ruthless, uncaring husband determined to destroy her confidence.
‘It’s fictional. But it’s loosely based on the truth,’ said Harry, who has a lucrative Netflix deal, in an interview with Hollywood chat show host James Corden.
Charles’s unwillingness to confront his son, however, may be helpful in a reconciliation that might even reunite Harry with his brother William.
A source said: ‘The Prince will wait to see what happens and will talk to Harry after the programme has gone out.’