Watch our Royal Exclusive video above for the historian Gareth Russell’s chat

The Duke of Sussex visited the UK this month for a three-day trip but declined to meet up with either King Charles or his older brother.

6Prince Harry visited the UK earlier this month but didn’t see brother Prince WilliamCredit: AFP6A royal expert states ‘no one expected the two of them [William and Harry] to meet’ during his recent tripCredit: AFP6Prince Harry did release a statement about how he ‘hopes’ to see King Charles soonCredit: Getty

However, royal historian and author Gareth Russell claims a statement released by Prince Harry reveals the true extent of his rift with Prince William.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry stated he had wanted to see King Charles but wasn’t able to due to the monarch’s “full programme” – but made no mention of seeing his brother.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson on our Royal Exclusive show, Gareth said: “That’s really interesting.

“I think it’s being picked up on that it almost was just taken as read that this time they wouldn’t meet, which in itself, the silence tells its own story doesn’t it, that this time, no one expected the two of them to meet.

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“We didn’t have any leaks coming from either camp that there was going to be a potential meeting where the one wanted it and the one didn’t, and that probably suggests that the rift is pretty firmly cemented by the stage.”

William is said to have been stung by his brother’s attacks in recent years and has reportedly not spoken to Harry since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

This follows Harry slamming the royal family in his bombshell Spare memoir where he claimed William ‘attacked’ him in a row over Meghan.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also spilled details about the royal family in their Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary.

To the shock of many it told stories of Meghan’s “jarring” first meeting with Princess Kate and Harry making digs at his father.

Prince Harry travelled on May 7 from his Montecito mansion in a whirlwind three-day visit for a glitzy Invictus event at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.

Harry sent a secret message to Charles with his statement, you can tell because he didn’t put the boot it, expert claims

His spokesperson confirmed: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Harry and Charles last reunited at Clarence House in February for their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months following Charles announcing he has cancer.

On his recent visit this month, the prince flew to the UK alone without Meghan or their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.

6Tensions have been running high between the brothers following the fall out from Prince Harry’s Spare memoir and bombshell interviewsCredit: AFP6Prince Harry arrived in the UK for an Invictus event in London on May 8Credit: Getty6Prince Harry jetted from London to Nigeria for a three-day tour with Meghan MarkleCredit: Reuters

Charles, 75, recently resumed public duties for the first time since beginning cancer treatment.

Sources claimed the King had agreed to let his distant son stay in a royal residence for the trip – but the offer was turned down.

The silence tells its own story doesn’t it, that this time, no one expected the two of them to meet

Gareth RussellRoyal Historian And Author

Harry is understood to have stayed in a hotel during his visit.

As reported by the Sunday Times, insiders close to His Majesty alleged it would have been more practical to arrange a meeting between the father and son should Harry have opted for a royal residence.

Prince Harry’s statement about meeting up with King Charles

A SPOKESPERSON for the Duke of Sussex released a statement in regards to his May UK visit.

It said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

However, friends close to the duke insist he did his best to arrange seeing Charles before the long-awaited trip.

Following his UK trip, Prince Harry flew to Nigeria with Meghan Markle for a three-day visit in an effort to get the country to host the Invictus Games in 2029.

Harry and Meghan, who is of Nigerian descent, met with service members and their families, and participated in traditional cultural activities.