King Charles has reportedly stopped all communication with his son, Prince Harry, as detailed in a recent People magazine report. Sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex indicate that the monarch no longer responds to Harry’s calls or correspondence, leaving Harry to rely on media reports for information regarding his father’s battle with cancer.
This breakdown in communication follows Harry’s public criticism of the royal family, where he alleged that his security had been revoked as a means to control him and his wife, Meghan. This security issue has become a focal point in the ongoing tensions between Harry and the royal institution.
Sources suggest that the emotional gap between the 76-year-old king and his son has widened since Harry and Meghan withdrew from royal duties in 2020. Their last in-person meeting took place in February 2024, when Harry visited his father following Charles’s cancer diagnosis. Queen Camilla, whom Harry reportedly dislikes, was present at this meeting, according to People magazine.
Since that February encounter, there have been no private conversations between father and son. “I don’t think there is any rapprochement… Nothing has changed,” a palace source told People, while another described the relationship as “distant.”
The communication breakdown has left Harry without direct updates on his father’s health, forcing him to depend on publicly available information.
Insiders suggest that the king is intentionally maintaining his distance to avoid involvement in Harry’s legal battle with the UK government over security arrangements. Harry contends that Charles could restore his state-funded security, which was removed when he stepped back from royal duties, but the king has chosen to remain uninvolved.
The estrangement also includes Prince William, heir to the throne, who has not responded to Harry’s attempts at communication. Friends of William say he holds significant resentment toward Harry for perceived breaches of trust, particularly after the release of Harry’s memoir “Spare,” which portrays William and his wife, Kate Middleton, unfavorably.
Harry’s relationship with the royal family has further deteriorated following actions by Meghan that appear to contravene agreements made when the couple stepped back from royal duties. Recently, Meghan upset traditionalists by posting a message from the Vice President of Ukraine addressing her as “Your Royal Highness,” a title she and Harry agreed to cease using after the “Sandringham Summit.”
While King Charles has generally taken a relaxed stance on such breaches, sources note that Prince William is less forgiving. Reports suggest William favors more stringent measures, including potentially stripping the couple of their titles when he becomes king.
Despite Harry’s apparent efforts to reconcile, such as staying near William’s residence during a recent visit to the UK, these gestures seem to have been overlooked by his brother.
Royal analysts believe that cutting off communication may have financial consequences, as King Charles faces pressure from family and advisors to exclude Harry from his will. Prince William reportedly supports this move to prevent Harry from inheriting part of the monarchy’s estimated $34 billion wealth.
Harry’s recent visit to Ukraine has further complicated family relations. The duke visited the war zone to meet injured soldiers, a move that reportedly angered Prince William, who had hoped to undertake a similar trip but was denied due to security concerns.
Despite the ongoing family tensions, Harry has expressed a desire for his children, Archie and Lilibet, to connect with their British heritage. However, security issues remain an obstacle to family reconciliation.
While some observers suggest King Charles should initiate efforts to mend the rift, there is currently little interest in reconciliation from either side. Trust remains a significant barrier to any potential resolution between Harry and senior royal family members.
The estrangement between Harry and his father marks a significant shift from the close relationship they once shared. Following Princess Diana’s death, Charles was often seen as a dedicated father, working to maintain a strong bond with his sons amidst the challenges of royal life.
