Not a good look, Harry: Critics wonder if Duke took a 30-minute transatlantic flight with his cancer-stricken father to save face before 'enjoying glitzy Super Bowl festivities' just 24 hours later

Prince Harry flew to London to avoid being seen for the first time since his father's cancer diagnosis during “glitzy Super Bowl festivities” in Las Vegas, royal watchers claim.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, flew more than 5,000 miles from his home in California to London on Tuesday for what ended up being a 30-minute meeting with his father.

But he flew back to his home in Montecito after just one day in Britain – after it was suspected he had spent the night in a luxury hotel rather than a royal residence.

Royal commentator Robert Jobson previously told Mail+ that Prince Harry's trip was unplanned and 'unsolicited', with critics now questioning whether it was an attempt to save face by ensuring he rushed to the king's side.

Harry appeared at an official event for the first time since his father's diagnosis last night to deliver a joke-filled speech at the NFL Awards in Las Vegas.

Prince Harry flew to London on Tuesday on a ten-hour flight from Los Angeles, arriving at the royal residence at 2.42pm before spending around 45 minutes with Charles.

After meeting his son, King Charles left Clarence House with Queen Camilla on Tuesday

Questions are now being asked about whether his sudden rush to Britain was in fact an attempt to save face, knowing he would be 'enjoying' the glitzy festivities at the Las Vegas event just 24 hours later.

One critic posted on

Mr Jobson said that while Charles was said to be touched by his 'sweet boy's gesture', it actually caused 'some concern' when the duke 'took it upon himself' to fly over 'unsolicited'.

Harry was not expected to be seen again until he travels to Canada with Meghan for an Invictus Games event next week, but he shocked royal fans by appearing to hand out the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who collected the award, was equally surprised to see him hug the Duke before exclaiming, “Prince freakin Harry, I'm just shocked, that's Prince Harry.”

The Duke gave a very British speech in which he poked fun at the differences between rugby and American football – such as the fact that the NFL season is only 18 weeks long and players 'get a break every 15 seconds'.

But there was no mention of his father, his journey to London or the rest of his family.

Prince Harry flew to London on Tuesday on a 10-hour flight from Los Angeles, arriving at Clarence House before spending about 45 minutes with Charles following the king's surprise cancer revelation.

It has since been claimed that King Charles was ready to leave Clarence House for Sandringham, where he will spend most of his time during treatment to recover, but he was forced to wait after his son erased his diary and on the first available flight from LA had jumped.

Prince Harry arrives back at LAX after a quick trip to London to briefly see his father

An animated Cameron Hayward of the Pittsburgh Steelers poses for a portrait after winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Robert Jobson said: 'Put bluntly, the king was dissatisfied with what amounted to a fait accompli served up by an emotional but well-meaning son.'

He added: 'Thanks to Harry's intervention, Their Majesties remained behind at Clarence House, their main home in London, while they waited for the errant youngest son to appear.

'It is notable that Harry was not invited to stay at Clarence House, or any other royal residence for that matter. So it was decided at the last minute to fly, that he had to book a hotel room for the night.

'And if the prince had expected to spend some quality time at Sandringham House, perhaps to talk about the good old days, or to rekindle the fatherly bond, he will have been disappointed.'

He and Harry had a 'brief meeting' before the king and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter waited to take them back to their Norfolk retreat.

It is believed the Duke has not seen his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is recovering from abdominal surgery and on extended leave.

Royal experts say this is a sign of how deep the rift between the brothers has become.

'William showed today that he has rejected Harry, that he doesn't want to know him and that he probably doesn't even like him anymore. Harry is just not part of his life,” Jennie Bond said.

“That rift is so deep now, as evidenced by the fact that Harry is here and they don't meet, so deep that I really wonder if it can ever be repaired.”

Doctors discovered the king's cancer during an operation to treat a benign enlarged prostate just over a week earlier, the palace said.

The type and stage of the cancer have not been revealed, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the BBC that the cancer had been detected 'early'.

The choice to make the diagnosis public is a marked difference from royals of the past, who have always kept their health struggles extremely private.

According to the palace, the king hopes its announcement will encourage others to have their concerns investigated by a medical professional.

Prince Harry's representatives have been contacted for comment.