AS REUNION HOPES ARE DASHED HARRY, CHARLES & WILLIAM WHY THE ROYAL TRIO WERE UNABLE TO 'HEAL THE RIFT' DURING THE DUKE'S WHIRLWIND TRIP TO LONDON

In the U.K. ahead of his trip to Nigeria to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex had been expected to meet his father, the King, however briefly.

- EMILY NASH, SARAH TRUMBLEY

But while his visit took him within just a few kilometres of His Majesty, they were to remain apart, with a spokesman for the duke citing the monarch's busy schedule as the reason.

Harry spent three days in London, catching up with competitors, supporters and friends made since he launched the hugely successful adaptive-sports tournament for military veterans in 2014.

The milestone anniversary was celebrated with a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral, which neither King Charles, 75, nor Prince William, 41, attended, presumably because of scheduling conflicts.

The King and Queen Camilla were at Buckingham Palace, hosting the first garden party of the year, while the Prince of Wales was at Windsor Castle, conducting an investiture.

Harry was, however, lovingly supported by two of Princess Diana's three siblings, Earl Spencer, 60, and Lady Jane Fellowes, who warmly embraced him when he walked in and were seated directly behind him.

"Thank goodness for the Spencers, who showed up in force to support Harry," says royal biographer Christopher Andersen though, as he tells Hello! Canada, it wasn't a huge surprise to see them there.

"I think the Spencers identify more with Harry than with William because Harry blew the whistle on the harsh realities of royal life in much the same way Diana did," he explains. "Harry is every inch his mother's son." (Lady Jane, 67, famously gave a reading at his 2018 wedding to Meghan.)