KING'S BALCONY BREAKDOWN

A brave decision not to invite his son has broken Charles' heart

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King Charles' first Trooping the Colour celebrations marked yet another historic moment for the royal family, with a newly crowned monarch and the first time in three decades the public has seen every regiment of the Household Division on full display.

Despite the pomp and military ceremony to honour the sovereign's birthday, one person's absence did not go unnoticed. In the lead-up to the event, it was formally revealed that Prince Harry, 38, had been left off the invitation list, and sources say the decision "was one of the toughest Charles has had to make so far as King".

OLIVE BRANCHES

"It must have broken the King's heart not to invite his wayward son to his first Trooping The Colour," says royal commentator Phil Dampier of Charles, 74.

"All along he has tried to offer olive branches to Harry and kept the door open for a reconciliation - that's why he invited him to the coronation. But it's obvious the rift between them is as wide as ever and shows no signs of coming to a swift end. Even if he had been invited, I doubt he would have gone," adds Phil. "He is no longer interested in being involved in these big events and his life is now in the US."

While sources insist older brother Prince William, who turns 41 this week, had nothing to do with Charles' decision to not invite Harry, the King knows his loyalties must lie with the Crown and its heirs.