Main reason why King is unlikely to see Prince Harry if he visits the US next year: 'There will be no detour'

King Charles is unlikely to see his youngest son Prince Harry if he makes an historic state visit to the United States of America next year.

The British monarch is rumoured to be planning a short tour to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in July.

The King and Queen Camilla have been invited by US President Donald Trump, with a potential state visit flagged for April.

There have been suggestions the Prince and Princess of Wales could join the monarch for part of the visit, or even several weeks later, but royal commentator Robert Jobson believes it "unlikely".

He's also weighed into the inevitable talk about a reunion between the King and Prince Harry, who has been living in the US since 2020.

Buckingham Palace is yet to confirm a visit to the US by the King, which would likely take place within Washington D.C. and last for four days.

Events would be centred around the US capital, including at the White House.

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The monarch is not expected to visit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who live in California.

"There will be no detour," Jobson writes in a piece for Hello!

Nor would Prince Harry and Meghan join the King and Queen for the formalities in Washington, owing to their places as non-working royals.

"While some close to the palace quietly suggest the Sussexes could travel east for a discreet meeting in Washington, their presence would dominate headlines, eclipsing the state visit, so for that reason, it remains improbable," Jobson added.

Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have not commented on the speculation.

Prince Harry met with his father, face to face, in September when he briefly returned to the UK for a series of charity events. Father and son had previously not seen each other in person for 19 months.

King Charles has not travelled to US since acceding the throne from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Before becoming King, then-Prince Charles visited the US more than 20 times.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were last in the US in December, 2022, for the prince's Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony which was held in Boston.

It was their first visit stateside since the change of throne months before.

The special relationship between the US and UK was on show in September when Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made an unprecedented second state visit to England.

In his speech, Trump said described the night – and the state visit – as "truly one of the highest honours of my life".

The Prince and Princess of Wales are also rumoured to be visiting Australia sometime next year after a planned tour for 2020 was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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