King Charles III is reportedly finding it difficult to forgive his younger son, Prince Harry, for his scathing comments about Queen Camilla, as detailed in Harry’s memoir, "Spare." The book, released in early 2023, painted Camilla as a villain and accused her of manipulating the media to improve her public image, a portrayal that has deeply affected the king.
Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," told Fox News, “The one thing that Charles finds unforgivable is criticism of Camilla.” He elaborated, “Harry said some pretty devastating things about her. He made it clear that he felt she was the villain in the piece. I don’t think they’ll ever forgive Harry for that.”
The strained relationship between Harry and his family has only worsened since he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020. The couple cited intense media scrutiny and racism as primary reasons for their departure. Since then, Harry has been vocal about his grievances through interviews, a documentary series, and his memoir.
In "Spare," Harry accuses his stepmother of leaking private family conversations to the media and describes her efforts to rehabilitate her image following her long-term affair with his father. "That made her dangerous because of the connections she was forging within the British press," Harry told CBS in a promotional interview for his book. He added that her actions left "bodies in the street."
These revelations have not only widened the rift with his father but also intensified his estrangement from his brother, Prince William. Harry details a heated argument with William in 2019, during which William allegedly called Meghan "difficult," "rude," and "abrasive." Harry claimed that William physically assaulted him during the confrontation, leading to further deterioration of their relationship.
According to Andersen, King Charles could potentially forgive Harry over time, but William remains a significant obstacle. “William has taken [what Harry wrote about him] very, very personally. He’s incredibly charming but also very moody and rock hard in his feelings about things. It’s very hard for him to change his ways,” Andersen explained.
Despite their efforts to extend olive branches, Harry and Meghan’s attempts at reconciliation have reportedly been unsuccessful. Andersen noted, "Harry is certainly hoping that at some point, the olive branch he has repeatedly extended to his brother and father will be accepted. But it hasn’t happened yet, and I don’t think it’s going to happen in the foreseeable future."
Harry's recent visit to London in February to see his father, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer, did little to mend the fractured family ties. During this brief visit, Harry’s interactions with his family were minimal, highlighting the ongoing tension.
Amid these strained relationships, Harry is reportedly looking for a "secluded Georgian house" near his father's Highgrove estate, suggesting a desire to establish a base in the UK. However, his ongoing legal battle with the Home Office over the loss of his police protection in the UK remains a significant barrier. Harry has expressed concerns that his children cannot "feel at home" in the UK if their safety cannot be guaranteed.
Queen Camilla, who has played a pivotal role in Charles’s life, remains a sensitive topic. Harry’s criticisms in "Spare" included accusations that Camilla had sacrificed him on her "personal PR altar." Despite the friction, Harry mentioned wanting his father and even Camilla to be happy, hoping this might make her "less dangerous."
While the royal family navigates these turbulent waters, it is clear that the path to reconciliation is fraught with challenges. The king’s deep-seated hurt over Harry's portrayal of Camilla and William's hardened stance make any immediate resolution unlikely.