The relationship of Prince Charles with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, was always going to be complicated because of their dynamics in the royal family.
According to palace insiders, Charles does not have a "straightforward father-son relationship" with his boys because he's also their boss in The Firm. As their boss, Charles provides the fund for William and Harry's lifestyle, which extends to their wives and children.
Because of this dynamic, Charles holds immense power over his sons, especially when he controls the money. Apart from the Sovereign Grant, the Prince of Wales is also the head of the Duchy of Cornwall, an income-generating estate that earns $30 million a year. William and Harry benefit from this income if they also work hard for The Firm.
But Harry said in the interview with Winfrey that his father cut off financial support when he stepped back as a working royal with his wife, Meghan Markle. Charles also stopped taking his calls when he moved to California.
Sources at Charles' camp, however, said that this was not entirely true because Charles continued to provide funds for Harry and Meghan. But Prince Charles did not pick up Harry's calls anymore because the couple wanted more money and the Prince of Wales
"didn't want to be treated like a cash machine," the source said. Harry, however, has confirmed that he has resumed talks with his father after the interview.
Meanwhile, William did not have a good relationship with his father in the past because of his loyalty to Princess Diana. According to royal biographer Penny Junor, the Duke of Cambridge had been Diana's confidant. He knew the misery that his mother was going through in her marriage to the Prince of Wales because Diana always talked to her eldest son about her struggles.
William and Harry were only 10 and eight years old, respectively, when their parents separated. They were 15 and 13 when they lost their mother.
However, because of the events surrounding the royal family amid Harry's exit, William and Charles' relationship improved. According to royal correspondent Camilla Tominey, William has forgiven Charles for his mistakes in the past and he also realized that his father has had a positive influence on him as much as his mother.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl also agreed and said that there's love, affection and respect between the relationship of William and Prince Charles today. As the future heirs to the throne, there are now on the same wavelength compared to a few years ago.
