State of Prince Harry and King's bond laid bare by friend with candid 9-word remark

Prince Harry is set to return to the UK on Monday after it was revealed just weeks ago that he would attend the 2025 Wellchild Awards ceremony in person. The Duke of Sussex, 40, will step foot back in his home country on September 8, and reportedly has a busy few days ahead.

While it has not been confirmed officially, it is believed Harry could meet up with his father King Charles, 76, during his UK stay. This would be the first time they would have met face-to-face since February last year. Although many believe a meeting is set to go ahead, a friend of the monarch has issued a nine-word remark suggesting this may not be the case.

As reported by The Times, a friend of King Charles told the newspaper that the relationship between the monarch and his youngest son is still far from being healed, with the pair having "no direct communication" with one another.

The friend also suggested that events over the past year, including Prince Harry's comments about the King's health and the suggestion that his father should have helped him with his UK security case, have meant that their relationship is not in the best place.

The friend The Times in a nine-word comment: "The water is still pretty chilly on that front."

Prince Harry has spoken about his desire to reconcile with his royal relatives this year, with one of his friend's telling The Times that it is now up to the Royal Family to make it happen.

The friend said: "It's on them now."

It is not known whether any plans for a meeting are in place or where such a meeting would take place.

The King has always avoided publicly discussing the state of the relationship between himself and his youngest son.

However, just weeks ago senior aides of His Majesty and Prince Harry were spotted having an informal meeting in London - something that has been perceived as a step closer to a reconciliation between the two sides.