Amidst the royal family's ongoing struggles, Queen Camilla reportedly fears that the discord brought on by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could exacerbate King Charles III's fragile health condition.
The king, who has been battling cancer, is said to be facing immense stress due to the ongoing tensions with his son, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. According to insiders, this stress significantly impacts his well-being, a situation that has left Queen Camilla profoundly worried.
Courtiers confided to The National Enquirer that the strained relationship between King Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has affected the monarch's health. The couple's departure to California in 2020 and their subsequent public criticisms of the royal family have reportedly contributed to an atmosphere of unease and frustration within the royal household.
"Camilla is desperately worried about the impact all this stress and anguish is having on Charles, who's beating himself up over the current state of affairs in the family," a palace insider disclosed.
The king's health has notably declined in recent weeks, with traditional cancer treatments and alternative remedies failing to yield the desired results. "His Majesty's health has taken a decided turn for the worse," the insider added, noting the king's increasing instances of losing his temper and displaying emotional volatility when discussing the situation with the Sussexes.
Amid these health concerns, there is speculation that King Charles might consider abdicating the throne in favor of his eldest son, Prince William, Prince of Wales. However, such a decision is feared to provoke further criticism from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have previously leveled accusations of racism and mistreatment against the royal family. The insider mentioned, "But Charles fears that move would trigger new attacks on the monarchy by the indignant Sussexes."
The tension is not limited to the relationship between the king and the Sussexes. Prince Harry's relationship with his brother, Prince William, is also strained, with reports of William's outright refusal to tolerate Harry's presence following the king's cancer diagnosis. "Future king William made it plain he would not tolerate Harry’s presence for a single heartbeat," a high-ranking member of the royal household revealed.
Despite these challenges, the king's fondness for his younger son remains, with insiders emphasizing Charles's aversion to confrontation and his desire to keep the door open to Harry. Yet, reconciliation seems distant, especially as Prince Harry reportedly demands an apology from his ailing father, which complicates the possibility of mending familial ties.
The situation has placed Queen Camilla in a particularly distressing position as she watches her husband's health deteriorate amid the ongoing family discord. "For Camilla, it’s just horrific watching Charles wither away from chemo, radiation, and homemade tumor killers laced with snake venom," said the insider. The queen consort reportedly fears that the stress induced by the family rift could hasten the king's demise, placing the blame squarely on the Sussexes.
Meanwhile, in a marked departure from his previously outspoken stance on family matters, Prince Harry has adopted a more reserved approach in discussing the health of King Charles III and his relationship with the Royal Family. This shift was notably evident during his recent interview on "Good Morning America," where he refrained from delving into details about his father's cancer diagnosis.
When questioned about his dad's health, Prince Harry said, "That stays between me and him," highlighting a significant pivot from his former candidness. This change in demeanor comes after a period of open criticism and personal revelations shared in his memoir and a Netflix documentary series alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. The prince's newfound reticence signals an acknowledgment of the potential repercussions of his past public disclosures regarding the Royal Family.
"I jumped on a plane and went to see him as soon as I could," Harry shared during the "Good Morning America" interview, expressing his enduring familial love. "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." His comments reflect a complexity in his feelings toward his family, underscored by a recognition of the value of the time spent with his father amidst health concerns.
The possibility of a family reunion, spurred by the king's health condition, was also broached, to which Prince Harry responded optimistically. "Yeah, I'm sure," he affirmed, adding, "Any illness, any sickness brings families together. I see it time and time again, and that makes me very happy." This response suggests an underlying hope for reconciliation and the healing power of family unity in the face of adversity.
However, the constrained nature of his interaction with King Charles III during his visit—limited to a mere half-hour—was a source of disappointment for Prince Harry. "He was hurt that he only got to spend 30 minutes with his father on his recent visit and that officials made it clear that he was not really wanted," reported Royal expert Tom Quinn to The Mirror. This revelation speaks to the ongoing challenges within the familial dynamics and the potential obstacles to reconciliation.
Quinn's insights further illuminate the delicate balance Prince Harry is navigating between his sense of duty to family and the desire to maintain a degree of personal privacy. "Harry's refusal to go into detail about his father's illness on 'Good Morning America' is definitely a sign that he knows he has gone too far in the past," Quinn observed. This careful modulation of his public persona reflects a nuanced understanding of the impact of his previous disclosures on both his family relationships and public perception.
As Prince Harry continues to adjust his approach to dealing with Royal Family matters, the broader implications for his role within the monarchy and his interactions with the media remain to be seen. The evolving dynamics suggest a period of reflection and possible recalibration in how he navigates his public and private life, with an emphasis on the importance of family ties in the face of personal and public challenges.
Business Times has reached out to the royal family for comments.
