Prince Harry‘s ongoing rift with the royal family, particularly with his brother Prince William and father King Charles, has been a topic of public interest for years. At the heart of this tension lies a lack of trust, as highlighted by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. Speaking to People magazine, Smith explained, “The underlying issue is trust. The King and William don’t trust Harry and Meghan with any kind of confidential conversation.”
The strained relationship has been further fueled by Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from their roles as working royals in 2020. This pivotal move was followed by several high-profile interviews that shed light on their experiences within the royal institution.
King Charles visibly twitches in discomfort after receiving an unexpected gesture from a tailor
From their explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey to the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022, and Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, the couple has openly shared their side of the story. These revelations, however, appear to have deepened the divide within the family.
In May 2024, Prince Harry gave another candid interview, this time with the BBC. During the conversation, he alluded to his father’s cancer diagnosis, which had been publicly announced earlier that year in February. Reflecting on his relationship with King Charles, Harry stated, “I don’t know how much longer my father has,” and added that his father “won’t speak to me.” These comments, while heartfelt, may have complicated reconciliation efforts.
A timeline of tensions in the Royal Family
Royal biographer Valentine Low noted that Harry’s remarks “weren’t meant to be an attack, but it would be seen as one.” Low also pointed out that King Charles lacks someone in his corner encouraging him to mend fences, saying, “There is not a good angel in his ear to say, ‘Be a good dad and make the first move.'”
The tension between Prince Harry and King Charles was visible during public appearances as well. A photo taken on September 14, 2022, captures the father and son together, but it’s clear that their relationship remains strained. Whether these wounds can heal remains uncertain, but the ongoing feud continues to cast a shadow over the royal family.
While trust appears to be the main barrier, the emotional complexities between Prince Harry and his family highlight just how challenging it can be to bridge divides when personal grievances and public scrutiny collide.