Prince Harry is reportedly exploring avenues to repair his strained relationship with the British royal family and possibly reintegrate into UK life. This move comes as the Duke of Sussex, who has been living in the United States since his and Meghan Markle's departure from royal duties in 2020, faces mounting challenges with public perception and internal family dynamics.
Sources close to Harry indicate that he has recently turned to former aides and trusted associates from his days as a working royal for advice on navigating a potential return to the UK, according to Daily Mail. This shift in strategy marks a notable departure from his reliance on American public relations experts, who have so far struggled to manage the fallout from various high-profile controversies involving the couple.
The Duke's efforts to mend fences come amid reports of significant staff turnover within his household. Christine Weil Schirmer, previously head of communications, left her position late last year. More recently, Josh Kettler, the Duke's chief of staff, resigned after just three months in the role. These departures underscore ongoing issues within Harry and Meghan's support network, as they attempt to salvage their public image.
Prince Harry's recent visit to the UK for a memorial service for his late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, highlighted the current tensions. At the event, he maintained a noticeable distance from his brother, Prince William, and left without any direct communication with him. This incident underscores the deep rift that remains between the brothers, exacerbated by Harry's past criticisms and public statements about the royal family.
Despite these challenges, King Charles III is reportedly open to reconciliation. The King has sought advice from various religious leaders on how to approach the situation with his son. However, the path to a full reconciliation remains complex, with William reportedly remaining a significant obstacle to any potential healing of familial relations.
In an effort to ease tensions, Harry is considering re-engaging with "low-key royal duties" as a preliminary step toward reintegration into royal circles. This approach would involve gradually reintroducing himself into UK life, starting with minor engagements rather than significant royal responsibilities. The Duke has also been involved in pseudo-royal tours, including recent visits to Nigeria and Colombia, which have been met with mixed reactions.
Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator, has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a full return to royal duties for Harry. Speaking on GB News, Fitzwilliams noted that any attempt at reintegration would present substantial challenges. "When it comes to returning, what exactly does he mean? There's no doubt he has been over twice and the optics have been strange," he said. Fitzwilliams also highlighted the complications posed by Harry's relationship with Meghan Markle, who has struggled to improve her standing with the royal family.
The ongoing dispute also includes concerns about Meghan's role and her strained relationships with other royal members. Speculation continues about whether Harry's efforts to reconcile would be sufficient to overcome these deep-seated issues, particularly given the couple's past actions and public statements that have been seen as betraying royal trust.
Sources close to the Duke suggest that Harry's decision to seek advice from former associates and move away from Hollywood publicists is a deliberate effort to reassess his strategy. "Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates," a source told The Mail on Sunday. This pivot reflects a broader attempt by Harry to recalibrate his approach in dealing with both his family and public perception.
The Duke's approach to reconciliation is still in its early stages, with no clear indication of what form a potential return to royal duties might take. For now, Prince Harry remains focused on finding a path that might allow him to bridge the gap between his current life and his royal past, though the road ahead appears fraught with obstacles.
