AN OLIVE BRANCH FOR HARRY

Charles has extended an invitation to his younger son in the hopes of getting to know his grandchildren

- NICI DE WET

SPARE a thought for Prince Charles. The king-in-waiting has a lot on his plate: he lost his father not long ago, he’s taken over several duties from his increasingly frail mother and as for the ongoing damage to the family caused by his younger brother – well, the less said about Andrew the better.

So you can forgive poor Charles for reaching out for the things he finds comforting: spending time with his beloved wife, Camilla, pottering about his garden and seeking out his grandchildren.

But there’s something else that’s proving to be a thorn in the future king’s side: his younger son.

Ever since the Duke of Sussex and his wife, Meghan, turned their backs on royal life, father and son have barely been on speaking terms – a situation not helped by Harry’s string of public attacks on the royal family.

And it’s Charles’ relationship with his far-flung grandchildren that has suffered the most.

“The truth is the Prince of Wales has barely seen his grandson Archie twice since he was born,” a royal source says.

“Even before the family left the UK. It’s a very sad situation.”

The heir to the throne has yet to meet baby Lilibet, who was born in California in June last year. And the fact that he’s had so little contact with Harry’s children is a source of sadness and concern.

Prince William has described his dad as a “brilliant” grandfather to his and Kate’s kids, George (8), Charlotte (6) and Louis (3).

And friends talk of how he relishes spending time with his grandchildren.