Relations between Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family appear to have remained strained despite a tumultuous year, as claimed by a royal expert.
Speaking to The Express, Jennie Bond, the former BBC Royal correspondent, provided insight suggesting that it isn’t Prince Harry who is hampering efforts towards peace but rather two key figures, as King Charles and Prince William seem reluctant to make amends.
According to Bond, it is the Duke of Sussex who is open to moving past previous conflicts, facing a “resistant” stance from his father and brother.
She explained: “Early on it was Harry, who was demanding an apology. There was going to be no meeting of minds or meeting in reality until there was an apology for the affronts he thought had been made to his wife. But now I think the tables have turned somewhat. Messages coming from Harry’s side are that he’s ready at least to forgive and that he loves his family.
“He’s said that quite publicly. He wants to see more of them. But it is Charles and William who seem to be resisting reconciliation at this point so I think it was first one, then the other.”
Prince Harry has been open about his strained relationship with his Royal family, tracing many of the issues back to his childhood in his memoir, Spare. However, when news broke earlier this year that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and would temporarily step back from “public-facing duties” for initial treatment, Harry quickly returned to the UK to visit his father.
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The visit was brief, with the father and son reportedly spending only 45 minutes together before King Charles travelled to Sandringham for rest.
When Harry returned to the UK in May for a special service at St. Paul’s Cathedral marking 10 years of the Invictus Games, he did not see his father or brother William. Instead, his mother’s side of the family – the Spencers – showed up in full force to support Harry and his work on Invictus.
“The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme,” said Harry’s spokesperson at the time, adding: “The Duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Harry also did not meet with Charles and William when he returned to the UK in September for the WellChild Awards. However, both brothers attended a memorial service for their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, in August, but reportedly did not speak to each other during the event.
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