Disputes and acts of compassion were evident in Prince Harry's candid television conversation.
Prince Harry's Bare-All Interview: A Depth Beyond the Royal Rift
LONDON (AP) — The rupture between Prince Harry and his family has escalated, spilling into the open following a raw television interview in the wake of losing a court case over his security.
Aged 40, the prince rehashed his wants for reconciliation while reiterating gripes against the royal family, the U.K. government, and the media. Here's a rundown of key points from the fr frank Friday chat with the BBC:
A Security Battle Fuels the Royal Divide
Harry confided that his father, King Charles III, remains silent because of "this security stuff" — a legal quarrel over protection for the prince when he is in Britain.
"At the heart of it, it's a family squabble," he shared.
Harry's estrangement from his family dates back to 2020 when he and his wife Meghan resigned from royal duties and relocated to the U.S., accusing the press and royal establishment of hostility and racial prejudice. Harry's 2023 tell-all memoir "Spare," awash with personal details and embarrassing revelations, added fuel to the fire.
But it's the issue of security that currently poisons the relationship. Last week, the Court of Appeal in London dismissed Harry's bid to restore his security, deeming that security assessments should be done on a case-by-case basis whenever he visits the U.K.
Palace Politics: Game of Thrones Style
Harry implicated the palace in the withdrawal of his security detail, alleging that royal officials—sitting on the security committee alongside police and government representatives—orchestrated the move to "knowingly place me and my family in harm's way."
He suggested that his father might be part of the problem, expressing that he'd entreated the king to "step aside and let the experts take charge."
The King's Silent Struggle
King Charles, 76, has suffered from an unspecified form of cancer for over a year. Buckingham Palace has provided occasional updates but kept the details under wraps.
Harry, having met his father only once, briefly, since his diagnosis early last year, expressed doubts about the king's longevity. "I can't gauge how much longer my father has," he shared.
He expressed little hope for another encounter soon. "The only times I return to the U.K. are, unfortunately, for funerals or court cases," he said.
After taking a break last year, Charles has resumed a full schedule of responsibilities. This week he spoke at a cancer charities reception, sharing that being diagnosed was "an intimidating and at times scary experience."
The Perilous Path Ahead
Harry feels threatened by potential risks to his life and that of his family.
Not just the heir to the throne, Harry war-veteran spent 10 years in the British army, with two tours in Afghanistan. His lawyer claimed in court documents that al-Qaida had issued a statement pledging to kill Harry, citing it as a religious duty[1].
Once at the highest risk level for royal protection, Harry has been stripped of taxpayer-funded police security since ending his official duties. Private security is his only alternative, but it's not as comprehensive as public protection, given for life to retired politicians.
"I'm bound to the royal family," he stated. "The risks have grown with time."
He hinted at a recent threat repeating history, an apparent reference to the death of his mother Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris in 1997 following a paparazzi pursuit[1].
A Torn Loyalty
Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie, 5, and 3-year-old Lilibet, now reside in California. Harry believes he cannot bring his family back to the U.K due to hostility targeted at him and Meghan on social media, relentless press coverage, and the perceived dangers they encounter when they visit.
He confessed that it's heartbreaking not to be able to expose his children to his homeland.
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The prince feels his own family could face danger when visiting the U.K. — an issue that may prevent him from reconciling with them.
A Desire for a Fresh Start
In his memoir "Spare," Harry aimed barbs at Charles, his stepmother Queen Camilla, and elder brother William[2]. In the interview, however, he expressed a willingness to forgive his family and the press, hoping for reconciliation.
Historian Anthony Seldon observed that Harry strategically used his words to demonstrate a desire for a clean slate. "We can expect no more vitriolic books from Harry," Seldon said. "He signaled his intentions to make amends in a way that must be negotiated."
But Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, voiced doubts about the practicality of reconciliation. "He appears bitter over the court decision and hasn't remained silent in the past. Coming to terms and making amends might be challenging," Little said.
[1] The Guardian, "The Al-Qaida hit list that made Harry a target for death," 2020
[2] Vanity Fair, "Prince Harry's Memoir "Spare": Publisher Announces Title and Release Date," 2022
- Prince Harry expressed his desire for reconciliation with his family, including King Charles III, despite ongoing disputes over security and the media's coverage.
- The U.K. government has yet to restore Harry's security detail, with the Court of Appeal deeming that assessments should be done on a case-by-case basis.
- The prince and his family, including his children Archie and Lilibet, reside in California, a move he believes was necessary to protect them from hostility and potential danger in the U.K.
- In contrast to the tone of his memoir "Spare", Prince Harry hinted at a willingness to make amends with his family and the press during his recent interview with the BBC.
