King Charles Teams Up With an Unlikely Ally — and Prince Harry May Not Like It
King Charles teamed up with an unlikely ally who was close to Prince Harry up until a few months ago.
On Wednesday, King Charles made a surprise visit to Battersea Power Station and launched Creative Labs, a high-tech musical collaboration between the King’s Trust and Apple. He also attended a music workshop for young people along with Apple CEO Tim Cook and an unlikely ally, Sir Elton John. The music legend, who was close to Prince Harry until recent months, was seen sitting next to the monarch for a soundcheck during the visit.
On the surface, it seems like the perfect collaboration: the King, a tech CEO, and an iconic singer-songwriter opening a technologically advanced project that equips young people with practical skills for the creative industries. However, royal controversies run deep. John had been close to Princess Diana and had even performed at her funeral. Charles and Diana’s troubled relationship is notorious.
However, beyond that, the legend maintained close ties with Harry and Meghan Markle, and had even performed at their wedding reception. Earlier this year, John banded together with Harry to take legal action against Associated Newspapers for illegal newsgathering. They lost the case, but something else seemed to sour the relationship between the duo. The Duke of Sussex reportedly asked John to provide financial support for the Invictus Games and for their unsuccessful legal action against Associated Newspapers. The request may have strained their years-long bond, as the musician replied bluntly, “I am not an ATM,” according to News 24.
John and Charles have met before and shared a cordial conversation. The former is a supporter of the King’s Trust. But their reunion in the aftermath of the legal debacle may not sit well with Harry, especially since the monarch declared him and Markle as private citizens. It is unclear whether the Duke has met his father since returning to the UK, which had initially seemed possible, given that the Sussexes had a private meeting with him during their UK trip in July. The chances of it happening again aren’t entirely improbable, as Charles stepped in to convince Uganda to rejoin the 2027 Invictus Games after the country abruptly announced its withdrawal.
However, the Sussexes may not be the only people on Charles’ mind this week, as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor decided to take legal action against the Thames Valley Police to quash search warrants earlier this week, following his February arrest. The disgraced royal has been forbidden from using the King’s private funds to finance the legal action. Despite the upheaval, Charles looked dapper in a dark striped suit during his surprise visit on Wednesday.
John opted for a striking dark green suit and matching spectacles for the occasion. He could be seen clapping, sitting next to Charles, after young performer Skye Newman’s set.
