Prince Harry has lost all contact with his UK family members. Following numerous public criticisms of the royal family, he and his brother, Prince William, are not on speaking terms, and his relationship with his father, King Charles, has significantly deteriorated.
Seeking Reconciliation
The Duke reportedly desires to reconcile with his family, but only after receiving an apology for how he and Meghan Markle were treated while part of the royal institution. Despite several short visits to the UK in the past year, including a brief meeting with his father after Charles was diagnosed with cancer, there have been no significant attempts at reconciliation. A royal expert suggests that Harry’s desire to make amends may not be as sincere as it seems.
Impact of Harry’s Memoir
The release of Harry’s memoir, Spare, earlier this year marked a peak in the feud between the royals and Harry and Meghan. The Duke’s revelations, including his description of stepmother Camilla as a “wicked stepmother” and detailing a physical altercation with William, have strained relationships further.
Harry recounted a 2019 incident at his London home where William allegedly called Meghan “abrasive,” “rude,” and “difficult,” leading to a physical confrontation. Harry described how William “grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and knocked me to the floor.” William later apologized, but the damage was done. The royal family has not publicly commented on these claims or other allegations made by Harry and Meghan.
Failed Reconciliation Attempts
After Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, Harry, William, and Charles had a meeting at Frogmore Cottage that ended poorly. In Spare, Harry described his family as coming “for a fight” and recounted how their attempts to understand each other failed, leading to heated exchanges. King Charles, witnessing the tension, pleaded, “please, boys, don’t make my final years a misery.”
Following the release of Spare, King Charles decided to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage. The couple had spent around $3 million renovating the royal estate and had repaid the amount to UK taxpayers after stepping down from royal duties. They were initially allowed to keep Frogmore Cottage as their UK base, but that changed post-publication of Harry’s book. The eviction decision left Harry and Meghan reportedly “stunned” and feeling it was a “cruel punishment.”
Harry’s Search for a UK Home
Harry misses aspects of his old life in the UK, particularly his army and college friends who haven’t visited him in California due to their strained relationship with Meghan. Royal commentator Tom Quinn suggests that Harry is now seeking a “permanent” home in the UK and is pursuing legal action to secure taxpayer-funded security for his visits.
Controversy Over Award
Harry recently received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards, sparking controversy. Pat Tillman’s mother criticized the decision, calling Harry a “controversial and divisive individual” and suggesting that more deserving individuals in the veteran community were overlooked. Despite the criticism, ESPY defended the decision, praising the Invictus Games Foundation’s work.
Declining Popularity in the US
Royal commentator Nile Gardiner notes that Harry and Meghan’s popularity in the US has also declined. They are viewed as “selfish, narcissistic individuals” who have repeatedly attacked their own family. Gardiner emphasized that Americans generally support the British monarchy and do not appreciate Harry and Meghan’s public criticisms.
Future Reconciliation Uncertain
It remains uncertain if Harry and Meghan will ever reconcile with the British royal family. Despite Harry’s reported search for a permanent home in the UK, royal expert Jennie Bond suggests that his actions indicate a lack of genuine interest in making amends. She notes that if Harry truly wanted to reconcile, he would have made more effort to spend time with his family during his recent visits.
As the situation stands, the possibility of reconciliation seems remote, particularly given the current tensions and the busy schedules of all involved. The coming months will likely determine whether any steps towards healing these strained relationships can be taken.
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