Prince Harry and actor Dominic West once shared an extraordinary bond, having embarked on a grueling charity trek across Antarctica in 2013. The expedition, organized by Walking With the Wounded, aimed to support injured British Armed Forces veterans. However, despite the camaraderie forged during this once-in-a-lifetime experience, the two men no longer speak, following a falling out that has since become the subject of much speculation.
The tension between Prince Harry and West, who later portrayed Prince Charles in the hit Netflix series The Crown, reportedly stems from comments West made at a post-trek press conference in 2014. During the event, West shared details about their celebratory antics upon completing the 208-mile journey to the South Pole. Among the stories that surfaced was a particularly colorful anecdote about the team drinking champagne out of a prosthetic leg, a moment that, according to sources, did not sit well with the Duke of Sussex.
West recently addressed the fallout in an interview with Times Radio. When asked if he had discussed his portrayal of Prince Harry's father with the royal, West admitted, "No, we sort of lost touch because I said too much in a press conference, and so, we didn't speak after that." The actor's candid remarks during the press conference, which included tales of two Australian team members stripping naked and running around the South Pole, as well as Harry's skill in crafting elaborate snow latrines, were seen by the prince as an invasion of privacy.
A friend of West's later revealed to The Daily Mail that Prince Harry "threw a fit" after learning about the actor's disclosures. "He accused Dominic of invading his privacy. Dominic told him not to be ridiculous. They haven't spoken since," the friend said. This reaction reportedly led to Harry distancing himself not just from West, but also from anyone closely associated with the actor.
The fallout is especially poignant considering the strong bond that had developed between the two during their trek. West, known for his roles in The Wire and The Affair, had nothing but praise for Prince Harry at the time, describing him as "a really cool guy, very much part of the team." He recounted how Harry, who was then 29, would often reach the group's meeting points ahead of everyone else and build intricate, artful latrines for the team's use-a task West referred to as "a royal flush in every way."
Despite their apparent closeness during the expedition, the aftermath of the press conference led to a significant strain on their relationship. Prince Harry, who has been increasingly protective of his privacy, particularly in the years following his departure from royal duties, saw West's comments as a betrayal.
West, reflecting on the incident in his recent interview, admitted that his remarks had likely crossed a line. "I think I was asked what we did to celebrate when we got there, and I probably said too much," he acknowledged. Despite the fallout, West has continued to speak highly of Prince Harry's contributions during the trek, emphasizing his role as a team player and his efforts to boost morale among the group.
The trek itself was a formidable challenge, with participants, including double amputees, enduring temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees and battling biting winds as they pulled heavy sledges across some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth. The journey, which took four weeks, was a testament to the resilience and determination of all involved.
As for Prince Harry, he has since moved on from the incident, but the rift with West remains a reminder of the complexities that often accompany high-profile friendships. The expedition may have been a moment of triumph, but the events that followed have left a lasting impact on the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the actor who once called him a friend.
