Expectations of Reconciliation Remain Unfulfilled Amidst Ongoing Tensions
Prince Harry stepped down as a senior royal in early 2020, anticipating that King Charles would "forgive him" and "make amends" for the perceived hurt he had endured. However, according to royal expert Tom Quinn, this expectation has not materialised, and the rift between them remains wide, with no reconciliation in sight.
Since stepping down, Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, have lived across the Atlantic. This distance has contributed to the ongoing tensions, with the monarch reportedly "filled with horror" at the prospect of Meghan potentially writing a personal memoir with Harry's contributions. After releasing his book, "Spare," in January 2023, the Duke of Sussex mentioned omitting many parts, enough for a second book.
Tom Quinn, author of Scandals of the Royal Palaces: An Intimate Memoir of Royals Behaving Badly, suggests that these circumstances complicate the prospects of a significant reunion between the Sussexes and the Royal Family. King Charles expects Harry to apologise, while Harry and Meghan believe the Royal Family should first extend an apology.
Quinn claims that King Charles is "privately furious" because he feels Harry is refusing to bring his children to the UK. Quinn told The Mirror: "Despite all his criticisms, Harry always assumed he would be forgiven by his father. He thought Charles would make amends for the hurt that—in Harry’s view—justified the criticisms."
Harry and Meghan's infamous tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey revealed shocking claims of racism directed at an unnamed royal family member, which Harry has since labelled as "unconscious bias." More allegations followed in their Netflix documentary and Harry's book, "Spare."
The couple also detailed fights with Prince William and the alleged lack of family support for Meghan, who struggled with her mental health under intense scrutiny. These issues have only widened the division. King Charles reportedly hasn’t seen his grandchildren through Harry and Meghan for over two years, with no hope of change soon.
"Despite Harry’s attacks on the royal family, his father has avoided responding publicly but is privately furious," Mr Quinn continued, noting that King Charles is now refusing to take calls from Harry.
In February, the Duke of Sussex lost his High Court challenge regarding the decision to downgrade his taxpayer-funded police protection as a non-working royal. He intends to appeal the High Court security decision, but experts predict he will travel alone to the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027.
