The relationship between father and son do not seem to be any better
The UK Royal Family is still enduring a challenging period concerning the relationship between the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, and the rest of his family. The current situation remains tense, even though some members have made initial steps toward reconciliation.
King Charles would like to resolve his differences with his younger son, but he fears that anything he says to Harry could later be used against him. This strained relationship dates back to when London’s High Court ruled to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their security protection in February, sparking an ongoing legal battle over taxpayer-funded UK security for Harry and his family.
Conflict of interests
Harry’s goal is to regain this protection, but he has not received any support from the rest of the family.
This situation could set a precedent for future discussions. Harry is deeply unhappy with it and is unwilling to initiate contact unless the issue is addressed. Conversely, King Charles is hesitant to reach out, worried that any conversation could be used to serve Harry’s interests.
The King does not trust the Duke
A spokesperson for the Royal Family shared the difficult position both the King and the Duke are in with biographer and journalist Robert Hardman: “Here you have the unfortunate situation where the King’s son is suing the King’s ministers in the King’s courts.”
They also commented on Harry’s tendency to reveal private conversations, some of which, according to reports, were inaccurate. Referring to The Times of London’s account that Harry “misremembered” certain conversations he published in his 2023 memoir, ‘Spare’, they added, “You also have the situation where the King’s son publishes accounts of private conversations, some of which have been, shall we say, wrong.”
Hardman also noted the King’s fears about talking to his youngest son: “Imagine the situation if the prince were to talk to his father about his court case and then later describe that conversation-or, worse, a conversation that was not entirely accurate,” Hardman said.
These issues are far from being solved. Neither side appears willing to take the first step toward fixing the dispute. When legal cases and the media are the intermediaries, there’s often much more to lose than to gain
