In the grand halls of the British monarchy, familial ties have often been tested by the weight of the crown. The latest chapter in this ongoing saga is the widening rift between King Charles III and his younger son, Prince Harry. As tensions escalate, the once-close bond between father and son appears to be fraying at the edges, with King Charles adopting a decidedly cold stance towards the Duke of Sussex.
King Charles III, who ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, has made it clear to his courtiers that Prince Harry would need to "make an appointment" to meet with him, a stark departure from the familial warmth that once characterized their relationship. This "business as usual" approach, as described by royal expert Duncan Larcombe, signals a shift in the monarchy's dynamics. It's a tactic reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth II's playbook, which she employed for decades as the monarchy's chief executive. The Queen often sidestepped family issues, hoping that by avoiding them, the aggrieved parties would tire out. However, this strategy, which hinges on deference to the monarch, may not be as effective with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have shown no hesitation in challenging the royal establishment.
The roots of this discord can be traced back to a series of events that have unfolded over the past year. After a few quiet months following King Charles's accession, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a bombshell Netflix documentary in December. This was closely followed by the publication of Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare," in January. The memoir painted a rather unflattering portrait of the Prince of Wales, depicting him as distant and uncaring, especially in the aftermath of the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. The book also took aim at Queen Camilla, suggesting she exploited Prince Harry and others to bolster her public image.
The revelations in Prince Harry's memoir were said to have "broken the King's heart." The Prince of Wales, who had extended an olive branch by expressing his love for Harry and Meghan upon his coronation, felt betrayed by the candid disclosures. As Larcombe noted, "It's remarkable, really, because when Charles became King, he said he loved Harry and Meghan, which was a huge olive branch, which Harry then took, snapped in half, and then hit him with it."
While King Charles may be maintaining a semblance of communication with his son, albeit indirectly, the relationship between Prince Harry and his elder brother, Prince William, seems to be in even more dire straits. The bond between the two brothers, once unbreakable, has been severely tested. Larcombe observed, "William and Harry's relationship is irretrievably broken. They had a very strong bond as brothers and always defended each other. But Harry has offered up a betrayal that no brother should put up with."
As the monarchy navigates these turbulent waters, the future remains uncertain. Will the familial bonds be mended, or will the chasm continue to widen? Only time will tell.
