Prince Harry has 'zero per cent chance' of returning to the royal fold despite the Duke of Sussex's olive branch – with palace sources saying William 'wouldn't allow' his brother to return

Prince Harry has no chance of rejoining the royal family despite flying to Britain following the king's cancer diagnosis, palace sources have claimed.

Prince William has told friends he will block any attempt by his brother to return and will be the one to take on more responsibility if necessary.

It follows reports that the Duke of Sussex – who stepped down as a senior royal in 2020 – would be willing to return to The Firm following his father's diagnosis.

Prince Harry and King Charles are said to have had 'warm discussions' during his short visit to Britain last week.

But a palace source told it The mirror there is 'no chance' of Prince Harry returning as his brother would not allow it because he believes his brother and Meghan 'cannot be trusted'.

The source told the newspaper: 'It is absolutely and categorically clear that he (William) would not allow Harry to return.

“The chance of Harry coming back in any capacity is zero percent.”

Harry, 39, reportedly told friends he would return to Britain to help with royal duties while his father undergoes cancer treatment.

But in a new claim on Saturday evening, royal insiders said the Duke of Sussex was 'blocked' from having a heart-to-heart with the king by Palace aides, who feared 'they would never get rid of him' come'.

'Harry came to his father expecting to go to Sandringham. But instead he was asked to be at Clarence House and given a limited time of 30 minutes,” the source said The sun on Sunday.

'The fear was that if he went to Sandringham they would never get rid of him.'

It comes after Harry suggested in a TV interview with Good Morning America that his father's illness could have a “reuniting effect” on the family.

Prince Harry, who stepped down as a working royal with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, in 2020, is a state adviser but is not expected to take on any royal duties while he recovers.

He suggested the king's illness could lead to a reconciliation with his father in an interview with a US breakfast show.

Harry also said 'I love my family' and that he was 'grateful' to be able to spend time with his father when he flew back to Britain last week.

The Duke's whirlwind visit to see Charles for about 45 minutes led to speculation that the brothers, estranged since the Duke stepped down as working royals, could be on the verge of rebuilding their relationship.

The interview, which aired on Good Morning America, suggested that a family illness could have a “reuniting effect.”

Harry was asked 'is that possible in this case?' to which he replied that he was sure.

Buckingham Palace has not provided any details about Charles' cancer and Harry declined to reveal any information when asked about his 'view' on the king's health. He replied 'that remains between me and him'.

But he said he would visit his father in the future: 'I have other trips planned that would take me around Britain or back to Britain, so I will pop in and see my family as much as I can. '

There was no meeting between the Duke and his brother, the Prince of Wales, last Tuesday after Harry spent time with Charles at Clarence House.

The rift in the royal brothers' bond can be traced back to the early days of Harry's relationship with wife Meghan, when his then fiancée fell out with the Princess of Wales in the run-up to their wedding.

Since stepping down as working royals in 2020 and moving to California, the Sussexes have leveled accusations and grievances against the monarchy and members of the royal family, which have also soured relations.

The Duke and his wife Meghan are in Canada hosting a number of events with Invictus participants to mark another year to go before Harry's Invictus Games, for injured and ill veterans and service members, are held in the country.

They are followed by a film crew led by Will Reeve, the son of late Superman star Christopher Reeve, who interviewed Harry in the winter sports city of Whistler, where the 2025 Invictus Games will take place in addition to Vancouver.

Speaking to Reeve, Harry said: 'Look, I love my family.

“The fact that I was able to get on a plane and visit him and spend time with him, I'm grateful for that.”

The Duke was asked about his life in America, something he described as 'amazing', and whether he had considered becoming a US citizen, with the royal saying he was 'considering it'.

Harry added: “American citizenship is a thought that crosses my mind, but certainly not something that is a high priority for me at the moment.”

When asked how he was 'processing' what was going on with his family in Britain, the royal replied: 'I have my own family, as do all of us. My family and my life in California is what it is.”

Meghan and Harry are raising their two children, Prince Archie, aged four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet, in California's famed enclave of Montecito.

The Duke said: 'The children are doing great, the children are growing like all children very, very quickly. They both have an incredible sense of humor. They make us laugh and keep us grounded every day, just like most kids do.

“I'm just very grateful to be a father.”

During the interview, footage was shown of Harry attempting skeleton bobsleigh, one of the winter sports being introduced for the first time at the Invictus Games next year.

Harry said organizing the biennial Games, or the events that are still a year away, was his '…annual solution to be with this community and laugh, have fun – no matter what country they come from, the banter is the same.

“I get a lot of energy just from being around these guys.”

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Prince Harry and Buckingham Palace for comment.