Prince Harry’s once close-knit relationships with the rest of the Royal Family appear to be a thing of the past, following his and Meghan Markle’s dramatic departure from official duties four years ago.
His relationships with King Charles and Prince William have been notably strained since then, resulting in only a few face-to-face meetings.
One such tense encounter occurred in April 2021, when Harry returned for Prince Philip’s funeral, which took place exactly three years ago today.
This reunion came just weeks after Harry’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, further fuelling the rift within the family and leading Charles to make a heartfelt plea to his sons. In his memoir ‘Spare’, Harry revealed that he, William and their father met after Philip’s funeral to discuss their issues.
He claimed that a heated argument broke out between him and William after he felt “cut off” while expressing his feelings.
Harry’s account suggests that the confrontation led Charles to implore his sons, saying: “Please, boys – don’t make my final years a misery.” The Duke also mentioned in his book that he was taken aback during the exchange when William used a “secret code” reserved for “times of extreme crisis”.
In his memoir, Prince Harry recounts a poignant moment with his brother William, who insisted on eye contact to express his love and desire for Harry’s happiness.
He admits responding with affection but notes William’s “stubbornness is extraordinary” before attempting to pull away. The Duke of Sussex then describes how William persisted, saying: “Harold you must listen to me, I just want you to be happy, Harold, I swear, I swear on mummy’s life.”
Harry was taken aback by the use of their late mother’s memory, stating: “It stopped me cold, as it was meant to. Not because he’d used it, but because it didn’t work. I simply didn’t believe him.”
Amidst these revelations, a confidant has suggested that King Charles III prioritises other matters over mending fences with Harry.
The Royal family, particularly King Charles and Queen Camilla, reportedly felt a mix of anger and exhaustion in response to the explosive allegations in Harry’s book.
Nonetheless, when news broke in February of the King’s cancer battle, Harry made the transatlantic journey to visit his ailing father. This act fuelled rumours of a potential thaw in their frosty relationship.
In light of the King’s health scare, Harry hinted at a possible detente with his father during discussions about the cancer diagnosis.
In a heartfelt interview with a US morning programme, he expressed his deep love for his family and gratitude for the time spent with his father. He stated: “Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
