In a reminiscent turn of events, Prince Harry may have discovered news of King Charles III's recent health scare through media outlets, similar to how he learned of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II's passing in 2022 through a news bulletin on his phone. Reports coming out of London suggest that attempts were made to inform the royal family about the king's diagnosis before the official announcement by Buckingham Palace, but it is believed that Harry may have read the news alerts before receiving any private messages.

According to a report from the Daily Telegraph, Buckingham Palace had made efforts to reach out to all senior members of the royal family, including Prince Harry. However, the public statement regarding King Charles' health was released at a time that coincided with early morning in California, where Prince Harry resides. This suggests that he may have come across the news coverage before receiving any private communication.

The strained relations between Prince Harry and the royal family have been evident since his split from the monarchy in 2020 and subsequent move to California with Meghan Markle. The couple has been vocal in their criticism of royal family members, the institution, and the British tabloid media. In January 2023, Prince Harry published his memoir, Spare, in which he revealed the breakdown in communication with his family during the time of Queen Elizabeth's death. It was through the media that he found out his father had become the king.

The recent revelation about King Charles' health scare and how Prince Harry learned about it is not something either side wants to escalate, The Daily Telegraph reported. Both parties are keen on avoiding further tensions that could strain relations even more.

This development is further highlighted by the fact that the royal family is dealing with another serious health issue. Prior to the announcement about King Charles, Kensington Palace revealed that the Princess of Wales, Kate, had undergone “planned abdominal surgery” and is expected to stay in the hospital for up to two weeks.

Royal commentators, including Richard Fitzwilliams, suggest that these recent developments could be an opportunity for Prince Harry to initiate positive contact with his family. Given the public rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, any communication is best kept private. The mistrust towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stems from their use of the media, so a period of quiet and positive contact may prove beneficial for future relations.

It remains to be seen how these recent events will impact the dynamics within the royal family. However, it is hoped that moving forward, there can be a constructive dialogue between Prince Harry and his family members.

As more updates emerge, Newsweek's royal reporter, James Crawford-Smith, will continue to cover the story from London. He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith, and readers can find his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

For any questions or inquiries regarding King Charles III, Prince William, Kate, or Meghan and Harry, please send an email to royals@newsweek.com to have our experienced royal correspondents address them. Your input is valuable to us.