The relationship between King Charles III and Prince Harry has been under intense scrutiny since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle’s 2020 decision to relinquish their royal responsibilities and relocate to California.
Harry and Meghan’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey detailed the hardships they endured as members of the royal family, including allegations of racism and inadequate support. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” released in 2023, added more depth to his experiences and his view on the dynamics within the royal family. These issues were further examined in their six-part Netflix documentary series.
Despite these revelations, Harry showed his commitment to his family by attending King Charles’s coronation in May 2023. Their relationship remained tense, but his love and concern were evident when he quickly returned to the UK after learning of his father’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year. During an interview with Good Morning America, Harry shared his feelings about this visit, saying, “I jumped on a plane and went to see him as soon as I could. Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
Royal expert Robert Hardman, in his book “Charles III: New King. New Court.”, mentioned that public remarks made by Harry and Meghan deeply affected King Charles. An insider mentioned in Hardman’s book said, “He has tried listening. Now he just says: ‘I don’t want to know what the problem is. I’m just getting on with my life.'”
Speculation about potential family meetings surrounded Prince Harry’s recent visits to the UK, including the Invictus Games. However, these did not occur, often due to King Charles’s packed schedule. Harry’s memoir further spotlighted the complexities of their relationship, recounting a heated argument with his father over Meghan, whom Harry felt was being dismissed.
The strains in their relationship became more public following the 2021 Oprah interview, where Harry and Meghan discussed their struggles within the royal family. Meghan revealed that there were concerns within the family about the potential skin color of their son, a statement King Charles responded to by writing a letter to Meghan, indicating there was no ill intent behind the remark.
Royal analyst Richard Fitzwilliams noted that while Harry has attempted to reconcile with his brother, Prince William, these efforts have been met with resistance. Fitzwilliams advised against Harry and Meghan’s potential return to the royal family, suggesting it could lead to more humiliation for the couple amidst ongoing controversies and public disagreements.
Despite these obstacles, it is reported that King Charles is considering a trip to the United States to meet his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, and make peace with Prince Harry. However, the King’s recent cancer diagnosis and health concerns have made this potential visit a concern for the royal family. Despite his desire to be a “friendly grandfather,” the tension between the royal family and the Sussexes remains a significant obstacle.
There is also speculation about Prince Harry’s second memoir. Royal experts suggest he may delay its release until after his father’s death. This follows the significant reveal of his first memoir, “Spare,” which discussed several personal aspects of his life, including his complicated relationship with his stepmother, Queen Camilla.
Experts suggest that to mend ties with his family, Prince Harry would need to publicly acknowledge that “Spare” was a mistake and that he was in a “bad space” when he wrote it.
The path to reconciliation is uncertain, but it appears that King Charles and Prince Harry are attempting to navigate their complicated relationship with a sense of duty and familial loyalty.