King Charles III's relationship with his youngest son, Prince Harry, has become increasingly strained, largely due to Harry's harsh criticisms of Queen Camilla. According to royal experts, this rift is exacerbated by Camilla's significant influence on the king, especially amidst his ongoing health battle.
In recent months, Camilla has stepped up to support Charles, attending numerous public engagements and standing by his side during critical moments. At the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Portsmouth, Camilla was visibly emotional as she accompanied Charles during his first public speech since announcing his cancer diagnosis. Behind the scenes, she is reportedly advising Charles to distance himself from Harry to avoid stress during his treatment.
“Camilla dislikes Harry and doesn’t want Charles to get stressed while he’s undergoing treatment, so she tries to limit interaction,” a source told Us Weekly. This has placed Charles in a difficult position, torn between his loyalty to Camilla and his desire to reconcile with Harry. “Charles is holding out hope of salvaging their relationship but is hugely conflicted because Harry has hurt William and Camilla so much,” the source added.
Harry's tell-all memoir, "Spare," has further complicated the family dynamics. In the book, Harry accused Camilla of leaking stories to the British press to improve her image, labeling her as the "villain" in the royal saga. These allegations have deep roots, tracing back to the aftermath of Princess Diana's death and Charles' subsequent marriage to Camilla, which Harry and his brother, Prince William, opposed.
“Harry said some pretty devastating things about her. He made it clear that he felt she was the villain in the piece,” royal author Christopher Andersen told Fox News Digital. “I don’t think they’ll ever forgive Harry for that,” he added, emphasizing that Charles finds any criticism of Camilla particularly unforgivable.
The tension between Harry and his stepmother is not new. In his memoir, Harry expressed his discontent with Camilla's presence in his life, referring to her as someone who had sacrificed him on her "personal PR altar." Despite this, he also acknowledged her efforts to integrate into the royal family and improve her public image.
Adding to the familial discord, William's appointment as colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, a role Harry had served in Afghanistan, was seen as a pointed move by Charles. This decision, along with the ongoing public fallout from Harry and Meghan’s interviews and their Netflix series, has only deepened the divide.
William, who has been caring for his wife, Princess Kate, during her battle with cancer, is another key figure in this royal rift. His relationship with Harry has been severely damaged by the public airing of grievances. “William and Kate couldn’t believe or understand how Harry and Meghan expect to make up with them,” a source told Us Weekly, noting that Kate has had to take the high road and refrain from responding publicly due to royal protocols.
The controversy surrounding comments on the potential skin color of Harry and Meghan's son, Archie, has also fueled the family feud. Reports suggest that Charles and Camilla were implicated in these conversations, causing further tension and misunderstanding within the family.
Despite these challenges, Charles remains hopeful for reconciliation. Harry’s brief visit to see his father after his cancer diagnosis offered a glimmer of hope, but subsequent snubs during Harry's trips to the UK have reinforced the ongoing estrangement. Andersen suggests that Camilla's influence is a significant factor in this dynamic, as she prioritizes Charles' health and minimizes interactions that could cause turmoil.
The strained relationship has also impacted Charles’ connection with his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. “It’s left a massive hole in his heart that he’s only spent a few fleeting days with them and then video calls on important days,” a source explained. Charles’ close bond with William’s children highlights the stark contrast and the deep yearning for a similar relationship with his American grandchildren.
As the royal family navigates these turbulent times, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain. “Charles harbors a lot of anger towards Harry. He’s always been very protective of Camilla,” the source added. The complexity of these relationships, coupled with the public scrutiny, suggests that healing these wounds will require significant effort and time.