Charles takes HARRY'S SIDE

William wants Harry and Andrew cut out. The King wants to be on good terms with both. Are they on a collision course, asks royal editor

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The King's relationship with his sons has always been tricky - and now it seems more complicated than ever.

After meeting Prince Harry for the first time in 19 months – while Prince William refuses to see him - it appears Charles is taking his younger son's side.

William, however, has made it clear he wants to freeze his younger brother out.

He has refused any overture from Harry, following the publication of his tell-all book Spare, and I'm told that he views his father as 'weak' for 'giving in'.

A friend told me, 'He feels utterly let down by his brother, not just because of everything he's said publicly, but because he's not there, as wingman by his side, to carry the burden of the Crown.

'He understands why the King, as a father, wants to see Harry, but feels that he has to be entirely strategic to cut him out for the preservation of the institution.'

Threat to monarchy

William feels the same about the Duke of York - and has been shocked that the more emotional Charles has let his younger brother back into the fold with public family appearances, including at Easter this year.

That has arguably backfired, with further revelations about Andrew and Fergie's continued relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein bringing more shame on the royals.

William has always held a hard line on the Duke of York, and viewed his behaviour as detrimental to the Firm's image. It was fairly excruciating to watch the duke sidle up to Prince William at a family funeral trying to make a joke, and the latter cutting him dead.

Charles' frustration