Prince William travels to Balmoral for 'private break with King Charles' after his reunion with Harry
The trip comes just weeks after King Charles' reunion with Prince Harry
Prince William quietly travelled to Balmoral, Scotland, for a private visit with King Charles, just two weeks after the monarch’s reunion with Prince Harry.
According to multiple reports, the Prince of Wales, 43, flew to Balmoral on September 23, the same day he and Princess Kate visited grieving families in Southport.
Later that evening, photos showed William disembarking a private jet at Aberdeen airport. He carried a duffel bag and was still wearing his navy suit from earlier that day.
Photos published by the Daily Mail show William at the airport before he made his journey to Birkhall, the king’s private Scottish residence on the Balmoral estate.
The quiet trip is part of a growing tradition between father and son. The pair have reportedly enjoyed “mini-breaks” together in Scotland since Charles’ accession in 2022.
Prince William visits King Charles at Balmoral
A source told The Telegraph that the William travelled to Scotland to spend “an informal few days with his father privately”. The publication added that the trip was “not diarised with senior staff, but set aside to chat as sovereign and heir”.
King Charles, 76, reportedly favours Birkhall, the secluded home he inherited from the Queen Mother, as his personal getaway, as opposed to Balmoral Castle, where the royal family usually convenes each summer.
This latest father–son getaway comes shortly after the king’s private tea with Prince Harry at Clarence House, the monarch’s London residence.
Harry visited the UK for charity engagements earlier this month. The Duke of Sussex reportedly spent just under an hour with his father before departing. It was allegedly their first in-person meeting in 19 months.
While Buckingham Palace and Harry’s spokesperson both confirmed that a private meeting took place, no additional details emerged. Still, the short reunion was seen as a small but significant step toward reconciliation.
Prince Harry, 41, has spoken in recent months about his desire to repair ties with his family, following years of tell-all interviews and his memoir, Spare.
In May, he told the BBC he would “love a reconciliation”.
Meanwhile, in an interview with The Guardian this month, he admitted that his latest UK trip had made him feel “closer” to one day bringing his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back for visits.
Prince William and Prince Harry ‘rift’
While some progress may be taking shape between Harry and King Charles, the reported rift with Prince William appears far from healing.
Royal historian and author Robert Lacey recently said the strained relationship between the two brothers remains “very profound and very long-lasting”.
“It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologises,” Lacey told PEOPLE magazine.
Even though Harry met with King Charles, no meeting with Prince William or Princess Kate took place. According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, no plans were made.
“William and Catherine will, rightly, regard Harry with extreme suspicion,” Fitzwilliams told Express.
He said trust has been damaged by Harry’s past damning revelations and allegations in interviews and his memoir Spare. This has made reconciliation between the brothers increasingly unlikely.
William’s visit to Scotland came just hours after his emotional engagement with his wife, Princess Kate.
The royal couple travelled to Southport on September 23 to meet with families affected by the July 2024 stabbings, where three young girls were killed at a Taylor Swift–themed dance class.
The engagement marked their first public appearance since hosting US President Donald Trump during his state visit to the UK.
Neither the palace nor Kensington sources have officially commented on William’s Balmoral visit. However, the trip’s timing and its proximity to Harry’s brief reunion with their father has sparked speculation.
Royal Insider has contacted reps for the Prince of Wales for comment.
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