The bond between King Charles III and his son, Prince Harry, has garnered significant public interest since Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to relinquish their royal duties and relocate to California in 2020.
In a 2021 conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Harry and Meghan discussed the challenges they faced as active members of the royal family, including claims of racism and a lack of support. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” published in 2023, further delved into his personal difficulties and shed light on the dynamics within the royal family. A six-part Netflix documentary series also explored these issues, bringing them to public attention.
Even with these revelations, Harry showed familial loyalty by attending King Charles’s crowning in May 2023. Despite their strained relationship, Harry quickly returned to the UK upon learning of his father’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year. During an interview with Good Morning America, Harry reflected on this visit, stating, “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.”
Robert Hardman, a royal expert, observed in his book “Charles III: New King. New Court” that Harry and Meghan’s public statements deeply wounded King Charles. An anonymous source quoted 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.'”
Recent visits by Prince Harry to the UK, including for the Invictus Games, sparked speculation about potential family meetings. However, these did not take place, often due to the King’s busy schedule. Prince Harry’s memoir further underscored the complexity of their relationship, recounting a heated altercation with his father regarding Meghan, where Harry felt King Charles was dismissive of Meghan, sparking a severe disagreement.
The tensions in their relationship were thrust into the public domain following the Oprah interview in 2021, in which Prince Harry and Meghan discussed their struggles within the royal household. Meghan disclosed that there were concerns among the royals about the potential skin color of their son. This revelation was followed by a letter from King Charles to Meghan, suggesting the comment was not malicious.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted that Prince Harry’s attempts to reconcile with his brother, Prince William, have been met with resistance. Fitzwilliams advised against Prince Harry and Meghan’s potential return to royal duties, suggesting it could result in further embarrassment for the couple given the ongoing disputes and public splits.
Despite these obstacles, King Charles is reportedly contemplating a visit to the United States to meet his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, and reconcile with Prince Harry. The King’s recent cancer diagnosis and health issues have raised concerns about this potential trip within the royal family. Despite his desire to be a “friendly grandfather,” the ongoing tension between the royal family and the Sussexes remains a significant obstacle.
There is also speculation about Prince Harry’s second memoir. According to royal experts, he may delay its release until after his father’s passing. This follows the considerable impact of his first memoir, “Spare,” which disclosed numerous personal details, including his strained relationship with his stepmother, Queen Camilla.
Experts believe that in order to reconcile with his family, Prince Harry would need to publicly acknowledge that publishing “Spare” was a mistake and that he was in a “bad space” at the time of its creation.
The path to reconciliation remains unclear, but King Charles and Prince Harry appear to be managing their intricate relationship with a sense of obligation and familial loyalty.
