Prince Harry’s explosive BBC interview has reignited tensions with King Charles, accusing his father of refusing to speak to him. The Duke of Sussex, now living in California, lashed out after losing a costly legal battle for taxpayer-funded security in the UK. His claims of an “establishment stitch-up” and attacks on the Royal Household have left the King frustrated and upset.
According to The Sun, Harry’s 30-minute TV rant, aired without warning to Buckingham Palace, followed a Court of Appeal ruling against his bid for armed protection, which he lost upon quitting royal duties in 2020. He accused the Royal Household of influencing the decision to downgrade his security status, claiming it made bringing his wife and children to the UK “impossible.”
Before the interview, sources close to King Charles expressed his dismay at Harry’s failure to respect the constitutional boundaries of the monarchy. The King, undergoing cancer treatment for over a year, found Harry’s supporters’ suggestions that he doesn’t care about his son’s family particularly hurtful. Insiders noted the case has strained public resources, burdening taxpayers.
The King’s allies emphasized that intervening in the security case would have been “constitutionally improper.” They stressed Charles’s love for his son but said Harry’s repeated attacks, including his memoir Spare, have tested that bond. A Palace spokesman reiterated that courts have consistently upheld the security decisions after meticulous review.
Harry claimed his father’s refusal to discuss the security issue stems from the dispute itself. He expressed regret, noting life is “precious” and uncertain, especially given Charles’s health challenges. Yet, he maintained he never asked the King to intervene, only to let “experts” handle the matter.
Sources close to Charles suggested a path to reconciliation existed before Harry’s interview. They indicated the King’s door remained open, though not “locked forever,” if Harry could move past grievances. However, Harry’s fresh attacks on Charles, Prince William, and Camilla dashed hopes for immediate progress.
Harry’s legal battle centered on the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which oversees security for senior royals. He claimed a Royal Household representative’s presence on the committee led to “interference” in the 2020 decision to reduce his protection. Insiders clarified the Household’s role is minimal, focused only on scheduling.
The Duke argued the security downgrade left him vulnerable, comparing his fears for Meghan to the dangers faced by his late mother, Diana. He claimed the decision signaled to other governments not to protect his family. Harry insisted he loves his country but cannot safely return with his wife and children.
In the interview, Harry took aim at the establishment, calling the court’s ruling a “good old-fashioned stitch-up.” He expressed shock upon learning of the Royal Household’s involvement in Ravec, saying his “jaw hit the floor.” His rhetoric suggested a deliberate effort to undermine his safety.
Charles’s frustration also stems from the significant government resources spent defending the security decision. Friends of the King noted Harry’s push for protection was partly about cutting his multimillion-dollar personal security costs. They argued his desire to regain International Protected Person status drove the legal fight.
Harry claimed the security issue reflects a broader family dispute, hinting at darker motives within the Royal Household. He ominously warned that responsibility would be clear if harm came to his family. Such statements, insiders said, only deepen the rift with his father.
The King’s allies reiterated that Charles views the security matter as one for the government and courts, not the monarchy. They criticized Harry for failing to respect this separation, which they see as fundamental to the monarchy’s role. The Duke’s public attacks, they added, have worsened the family’s strained dynamics.
Despite his call for reconciliation, Harry’s swipes at his family undermine his stated intentions. He acknowledged some relatives might never forgive him for his memoir or other actions. His claim that the Royal Household wants “history to repeat itself” drew sharp criticism for its inflammatory tone.
Harry’s interview revealed his belief that his family failed to prioritize his safety, a betrayal he found unexpected. He argued the security downgrade was not just a personal slight but a signal to the world to leave his family unprotected. This narrative, sources said, distorts the reality of Ravec’s independent process.
The King, described as a “loving and generous man,” faces a challenging path forward with his son. While Charles hopes for eventual reconciliation, Harry’s latest outburst has shut that door for now. The monarchy, taxpayers, and a family divided wait to see if the Duke will choose unity over grievance.
