'Step Up' Prince Harry: Duke Snubs Royals During King Charles and Kate Middleton’s Medical Issues

It is understood that Prince Harry will not be taking a "golden opportunity" to return to Britain to assist his family during the surprise medical issues of King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

"Wouldn't it have been good for Prince Harry to have supported his brother and his family instead of allowing very unkind and cruel things to be said about Kate in both his books Spare and in books which appear to have been written with his approval, if not cooperation?" royal journalist Michael Cole told an outlet.

Cole went on to share how both Harry and Meghan Markle could have "won a place in the hearts of British people" had they both decided to return or publicly announce their offer of assistance.

"I am wondering, sitting on their hilltop fortress in California, how they are pondering this turn of events," he added. "They would have had a chance to star. In the absence of the King and the Princess of Wales in hospital, they would have had a chance to pick up the slack. To be shown to be pulling their weight."

The King and future queen both brought royal headlines to a standstill on Wednesday, January 17, when Kensington Palace shared a statement relaying her "successful" completion of abdominal surgery the previous day. The news turned to concern when it was revealed that she would spend the next 10-14 days hospitalized and not return to royal duties until "after Easter." The Princess is adamant that her exact illness remain private, and it is speculated the ailment could be a "serious digestive issue."

Buckingham Palace later shared how His Majesty would also have surgery next week to fix an enlarged prostate. Unlike his daughter-in-law's predicament, it is believed the monarch's procedure will be "minimally invasive" and "routine" and may not even require an overnight stay in hospital.

With the sovereign being incapacitated for some time next week, his four "counselors-in-state" will need to be on hand to act as his proxy. Both Queen Camilla and Prince William will be assisting the monarch and Princess of Wales, respectively, which leaves Princes Harry and Andrew. Thanks to a 2022 parliamentary amendment, Princess Anne and Prince Edward will automatically cancel out the California prince and disgraced Duke of York.

Cole concluded by sharing how it is a "shame" that Harry cannot step in since he was "an extremely effective member of the family."

"He speaks well, he's hugely sincere in what he says and does, and he could be stepping up right now, helping his father, helping his brother, being there. Prince William has said that he's cutting back his schedule so that he can be close to his wife and look after his children at this difficult time," the expert observed.

GBN interviewed Cole.