Prince Harry's latest comments about King Charles III's health and his ongoing battle over security in the United Kingdom have drawn renewed criticism from royal commentators and further strained an already fractured family relationship. The remarks, delivered during a BBC interview following the rejection of Harry's legal appeal over taxpayer-funded security, have been described by royal experts as both "deeply unpleasant" and "damaging beyond repair."
During the interview, Harry expressed a desire to reconcile with his family but added, "I don't know how much longer my father has," referring to the King, 76, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. The statement triggered backlash from critics who viewed it as tactless, particularly given Buckingham Palace's attempts to project optimism about the King's condition. Richard Eden, editor at the Daily Mail, said during Palace Confidential, "I have had several people contact me to say that Harry should be prosecuted for treason."
Under the Treason Act 1351, it remains a crime in the U.K. to "compass" or "imagine" the death of the sovereign, though legal experts suggest such a charge would be symbolic and highly unlikely to proceed in modern Britain.
Hilary Fordwich, a British royal commentator, told Fox News Digital that King Charles and the rest of the royal family now see Harry as someone who "has burned bridges" and can no longer be trusted. "His behavior is causing irreparable harm nationally," Fordwich said. "He doesn't serve his country, he only serves himself."
According to Fordwich, the monarch "sees his wayward son's approach to detailing private family disputes in interviews, books, and on television as in direct violation of not just royal norms but undignified and contrary to all basic decency." Fordwich added that Charles "regrets not having a relationship with Archie or Lilibet" but is "constrained by the legal and constitutional boundaries of his position."
The King has reportedly not spoken to Harry in recent months and has only met his son once briefly since revealing his cancer diagnosis early last year. Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and royal expert, told Fox News Digital that Charles now sees the possibility of a relationship with Harry's children as a "distant wish." Chard described Harry as the "Duke of Delusions" and said his public comments and perceived self-victimization have "negatively impacted the whole royal family."
Harry has argued that his inability to secure government-funded protection has prevented him from bringing his family to the U.K., even for brief visits. The Court of Appeal in London rejected his bid to reinstate full security last week, stating the current case-by-case model was lawful. Harry responded by alleging the decision was driven by palace officials sitting on the government's RAVEC security committee. He told the BBC, "There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands. Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him."
In response to the court ruling, a palace spokesperson said, "All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion."
Despite expressing his love for Britain, Harry said he "can't see a world" in which he would bring his family back. "The only time I come back to the U.K. is, sadly, for funerals or court cases," he said.
Ian Pelham Turner, another royal commentator, acknowledged that Charles is "very paternal" and "misses meeting Harry and Meghan's children." However, Turner said the burden now rests with the monarch to extend an official invitation. "The ball is in King Charles' court now," he said.
Still, Chard emphasized that Charles "has been forced to cut contact with Prince Harry as all trust has been broken," adding, "There is only so much reputational damage that can be smoothed over."
