Prince Harry's latest remarks about King Charles III's health have intensified tensions within the royal family, drawing backlash from royal experts and further complicating already strained relations. In a BBC interview aired May 2, the Duke of Sussex stated, "I don't know how much longer my father has," referencing the monarch's ongoing cancer treatment. The comments came amid Harry's failed legal effort to regain taxpayer-funded security in the U.K.
"I think it will confirm the king's view that he is not to be trusted," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Us Weekly. "His comments on the monarch's health are unlikely to have gone down well either." The king, 76, was diagnosed with cancer in February.
Christopher Andersen, another royal expert, added, "If Harry really wants to reconcile with his family, he has an odd way of showing it." Andersen cited Harry's claim that King Charles could have intervened in the security case, and criticized the Duke for accusing the Palace of interference and indifference to the safety of his wife and children. "To hear those words from your son would, I think, be fairly upsetting," Andersen noted.
The king, seen publicly at church in Sandringham over the weekend, has not addressed the interview directly. A close friend of the monarch told The Sun it would have been "constitutionally improper" for Charles to involve himself in the legal proceedings. "What has frustrated and upset him on a more personal level is the Duke's failure to respect this principle," the source added.
Harry, 39, appeared in a London court in early April to appeal the loss of his police protection. The case was dismissed on Friday. "Harry is angry and gutted," Fitzwilliams said. "He should have released a dignified statement."
In his BBC interview, Harry said, "There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands," adding that the matter could be resolved "by stepping aside, allowing the experts [to] do what is necessary."
The timing of the interview has been particularly sensitive as the royal family prepares for four days of ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. "Today the royals on the Palace balcony were a symbol of unity," Fitzwilliams said of the May 5 public outing, adding that the Palace had made it clear "they hoped nothing would detract from the occasion."
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated Monday that the royal family "will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation."
A friend of the king told The Times, "It's not that the King won't speak to him-it's that he can't. How can you have a private and delicate conversation when you know it is going to end up on a news special within hours?"
Meanwhile, Harry's wife Meghan Markle posted a black-and-white photo of Harry walking with their children, Archie and Lilibet, to Instagram without a caption on Sunday-a silent gesture many interpreted as a statement about the life they've built apart from the monarchy.
