King Charles has made a subtle show of support for his eldest son, Prince William, during his latest royal engagement, as speculation continues over a possible meeting with Prince Harry and his family.
The 77-year-old monarch joined Queen Camilla, 78, at London Zoo on Thursday to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
Recently announced as Patron of ZSL after inheriting the role from the late Queen Elizabeth II, the King threw himself into the day’s activities, taking part in a penguin health check, feeding turtles and even helping to mark snails.
However, it wasn’t the animals that captured the attention of royal watchers.
As Charles greeted crowds, an orange friendship bracelet could be seen on his wrist, believed to have been made by his 11-year-old granddaughter, Princess Charlotte.
The King has worn similar bracelets on several occasions in recent months, including during his appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour.
“Aww look at that bracelet he’s wearing, that’s got Princess Charlotte written all over it!” one fan wrote online, while another commented: “The King looks fantastic. Love his tie and also the bracelet by Charlotte is a sweet touch.”
Charlotte, the daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, has become known for making colourful friendship bracelets for family members.
Her mother, Princess Catherine, 44, was also recently seen wearing one after completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Charles’ decision to wear the bracelet has attracted attention because it comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the royal family, with reports suggesting he hopes to meet Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children during the family’s visit to Britain.
Prince Harry, 41, arrived in London on Monday, while reports suggest Meghan, 44, along with Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, were expected to arrive later in the week and stay at Althorp House, the childhood home of the late Princess Diana.
According to reports, the King is keen to spend time with his grandchildren, whom he has met only a handful of times, and is hopeful a meeting can be arranged.
“While nothing has been ruled out, conversations remain ongoing,” a source told The Mirror on Wednesday.
“The King would not pass up the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren and if there is a way of making it possible, he will do it.”
The reported reunion comes against the backdrop of ongoing claims of differing views within the royal family over Harry.
It has been widely reported that Charles remains open to rebuilding his relationship with his younger son while William continues to take a far more cautious approach following years of estrangement from his brother.
According to multiple reports, William is said to be “livid” that his father continues extending olive branches, believing Harry’s actions have caused irreparable damage to the family.
“The King’s relationship with William is not in a good place,” a royal insider told the Daily Mail, adding that the King and his heir are “at a very low ebb.”
William and Harry have not spoken since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, which also marks the last time the Duke of Sussex brought his wife to Britain.
On Tuesday, the brothers were only 19 kilometers apart, with Harry attending an Invictus Games event at Chatham House in central London and William visiting Sgol Gymraeg Llundain (The London Welsh School) in Hanwell, west London.