The United Kingdom marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with various public events attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and senior members of the royal family. Prince Harry was notably absent, emphasizing the ongoing rift within the family.
During the events, the royal family appeared on Buckingham Palace’s balcony, witnessing a flypast of 75 aircraft, including the Red Arrows. The occasion was particularly poignant following Queen Elizabeth II’s death, who had been the last royal living witness to VE Day alongside Winston Churchill. King Charles, visibly moved, led the commemorations with Princess Kate, Prince William, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—engaging with the public.
Prince Harry’s absence has been interpreted by some as a reflection of King Charles’ challenges in reconciling with his son. Despite being among the few royals with active military service, Harry did not attend the VE Day celebrations. Some commentators view his absence as a critique of King Charles’ leadership and his ability to unify the family.
The relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family remains tense. Reports suggest Prince William has cut ties with Harry, choosing not to address or respond to Harry’s recent BBC interview, where Harry voiced disappointment over his legal battle for taxpayer-funded UK security and his strained relations with King Charles. Despite Harry’s desire for reconciliation, William reportedly remains “done” with him.
Trust issues seem central to the royal family’s estrangement from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Sources indicate ongoing resentment, intensified by Harry’s past actions, including controversial interviews and his memoir, “Spare.” A contentious point was Harry’s BBC interview, where he speculated about King Charles’s health, drawing criticism for comments perceived as disrespectful during the king’s public cancer battle. Harry stated uncertainty about how much time his 76-year-old father, King Charles, may have left.
Hugo Vickers, an author and royal family acquaintance, expressed understanding of the family’s stance. He noted that Harry shares traits with his late mother, Princess Diana. Recalling a visit to Buckingham Palace, he mentioned a letter from Prince Philip to Diana, stating, “Whenever Charles speaks to you, it ends up in the Daily Mail the very next day.”
Vickers commented that the current situation mirrors past events, asserting that Charles is justified in his mistrust. According to Vickers, Harry is unreliable in this regard and should not have agreed to the interview. He further remarked that royal family members should avoid interviews to prevent adverse outcomes.
In the same week as the VE Day events, Prince Harry was spotted in Los Angeles, California, attending a Beyoncé concert with Meghan Markle. Meanwhile, Meghan shared photos of their children, Archie and Lilibet, on social media, emphasizing the physical and emotional distance from their royal cousins.
The royal family’s public unity during the VE Day events, contrasted with Prince Harry’s absence, highlights ongoing challenges within the monarchy. As the royal family navigates these internal dynamics, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.
Buckingham Palace refrains from commenting on the Prince Harry situation.
