Charles in despair LET ME SEE MY GRANDKIDS

Despite his father’s pleas, the Sussexes rule out the latest peace offering

- Judy Kean

It’s a gesture of goodwill, a heartbroken father’s efforts to mend his fractured relationship with his son and be able to spend time with his grandchildren. But despite Prince Charles’ best attempts, it seems the rift with Prince Harry isn’t going to be healed any time soon.

Charles, 73, has tried to smooth tensions with Harry and daughterin-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, by inviting them to stay with him next time they travel to the UK from their home in California.

Not only does the future king want to fix the relationship with the pair – which has been strained since the pair walked away from their royal roles, and stretched to breaking point in the wake of the criticism they fired at him during their controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey – but he’s desperate to see his grandkids. Charles hasn’t seen Archie, who will be three in May, since he was six months old, and he has never met granddaughter Lilibet, who was born in the US seven months ago.

“The Prince of Wales has been saddened that he hasn’t had the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, which he really does miss,” says a royal source. “He is a fantastic grandfather and loves playing the role immensely, and it is certainly fair to say he feels there is something missing from his life without the ability to get to know Harry’s children.