King Charles once made a touching comment about his younger son, Prince Harry, way before their relationship went in the gutter.

The Duke of Sussex has been estranged from his father and the rest of the Royal Family ever since he quit his royal duties and moved to the US in 2020 with his wife Meghan Markle.

Harry’s relationship with his family has become so frosty that he failed to meet with the King, or any other royals during his most recent trip back to the UK in May, and he is not on speaking terms with his older brother, Prince William.

But before the huge royal row emerged, the monarch made an emotional comment when Harry returned from Afghanistan in 2008, where he had been with the Army for 10 weeks.

Charles and Prince William had arrived at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire the duke’s arrival after his Afghanistan tour was cut short after a news blackout deal over his presence was broken by foreign media.

Charles said he was pleased about Harry’s return and made a touching six-word comment in a rare display of affection.

He said: “I’ve been incredibly proud of Harry.”

The then prince continued: “And I promise you, equally proud of all the dedicated service given by all our armed forces.”

While the monarch is not known for his public displays of affection, and despite the ongoing royal feud, he’s mentioned his younger son another time since ascending to the throne.

After the late Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, when Charles became King, he addressed the Sussexess in his inaugural speech to the nation.

In the historic first speech of the monarch, Charles acknowledged his younger son and Meghan Markle, who now reside in Montecito, California.

He said: “I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”

But during the duke’s last trip to the UK in May, the monarch was too busy to make time for his youngest.

At the time, the duke’s spokesperson said that this was was due to the monarch’s “full programme”.