Although it's true that the literal ocean between King Charles and his two youngest grandchildren doesn't make it easy for him to see them all the time, it looks like he hasn't seen them at all in quite a while. After a royal expert pointed out that Charles didn't see Archie and Lilibet at all in the year of 2023, the king is coming under scrutiny for being an absentee grandfather. But as it turns out, not being able to see the kids may not be totally his fault.
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King Charles hasn't spent time with Archie or Lilibet in over a year.
The last time the kids were in town was for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in the summer of 2022, which happened to coincide with Lilibet's first birthday — and as far as we know, that's the last time that Charles would have had the opportunity to see them in person.
His distance may be at Harry's request.
According to what royal expert Michael Cole said in a recent interview via OK! Magazine, Harry may have asked Charles to stay away.
"When the King asked Prince Harry and his wife to vacate Frogmore Cottage, Harry said 'doesn't the King want to see his grandchildren," Cole said. "Well, the fact is he is not seeing his grandchildren."
Cole called the situation a 'sad state of affairs.'
"He has hardly seen Prince Archie and I am not sure he has even since Princess Lilibet more than once. It is a very sad state of affairs," he said.
Considering that Meghan and Harry left the UK before Archie had celebrated his first birthday, it's no surprise Charles hasn't gotten to know those grandchildren very well at this point.
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Harry's concerns with security are likely part of the reason he's staying away.
On multiple occasions, Prince Harry has stated that Charles' decision to stop paying for security has made it unsafe for him and his family to make any unnecessary trips to the UK. Since then, he's continued to fight for security but has been unsuccessful so far — and seems to be keeping his promise to stay in the US as a result.
Charles is likely still in contact with his grandkids from afar, though.
Although there's no word on what the state of Harry and Charles' relationship is today, there have been reports that Charles has video chatted with his grandchildren from across the pond, and Archie and Lilibet reportedly sent him a message for his birthday.
Maybe things will get better in 2024, or Charles may find himself without a relationship with his youngest grandchildren at all.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
