![\"problems\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/problems-1747312807316.jpg\")
Source: Getty Images| Max Mumby\/Indigo<\/p>\n
King Charles and Prince Harry attend the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games.<\/p>\n
May 16 2025, Published 1:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Prince Harry and King Charles have had a strained relationship following the former\u2019s royal exit<\/a> in 2020. Harry, however, has hinted that cracks in their relationship long pre-dated his decision to quit royal life. In his memoir, Spare, Harry shared that Charles, being an old father, created barriers for him. He suggested that the King\u2019s old age often came in the way of their father-son bond.<\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Charles became father to Prince William at 33, and welcomed Harry two years later, at 35. As reported by Hello! magazine,<\/a> Harry explained, \u201cI’d always assumed that I’d be a young husband, a young father, because I’d resolved not to become my father.\u201d The Duke added, \u201cHe’d [Charles] been an older dad, and I’d always felt that this created problems, placed barriers between us\u2026He wasn\u2019t the kind of father who played endless rounds of tag or tossed a ball until long after dark.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Harry added, \u201cHe\u2019d chased us all over Sandringham, making up wonderful games, like the one where he wrapped us in blankets, like hot dogs, until we screamed with helpless laughter, and then yanked the blanket and shot us out of the other end.\u201d However, the Prince claimed that soon after, Charles lost all his energy. \u201cLong before we were ready, he stopped engaging in that kind of physical fun. He just didn\u2019t have the enthusiasm\u2014the puff.\u201d Interestingly, despite Harry’s plans, he became a father to Prince Archie at 33\u2014the same age Charles was when William was born. He welcomed his second child, Princess Lilibet, at 36.<\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n Harry\u2019s memoir mentions several incidents that widened the rift between him and his father. One of them was when Charles had made a \u2018sadistic joke\u2019 <\/a>about his \u2018real dad\u2019 that deeply upset him. As per Page Six,<\/a> Harry penned, \u201cHe\u2019d always end with a burst of philosophizing\u2026Who knows if I\u2019m really the Prince of Wales? Who knows if I\u2019m even your real father?\u201d The Duke added, \u201cHe\u2019d laugh and laugh, though it was a remarkably unfunny joke, given the rumor circulating just then that my actual father was one of Mummy\u2019s former lovers: Major James Hewitt.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n