King Charles has ended all forms of communication with his son, Prince Harry, according to a report by People magazine. Known for its reliable sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the magazine states that the monarch does not respond to Harry’s calls or letters. Consequently, Harry relies on media reports to learn about his father’s battle with cancer.
This revelation follows Harry’s public criticism of the royal family, accusing them of stripping him of his security to exert control and keep him and Meghan in the UK. The security issue remains a major point of contention between Harry and the royal institution.
Multiple sources indicate that the emotional gap between the 76-year-old king and his younger son has grown since Harry and Meghan’s withdrawal from royal duties in 2020. Their last in-person meeting occurred in February 2024 when Harry made a quick trip to visit his father following Charles’s cancer diagnosis. During this encounter, Queen Camilla was reportedly present, despite Harry’s known dislike for her.
Notably, there have been no private conversations between the father and son since that February meeting. “I don’t think there is any rapprochement… Nothing has changed,” a palace source told People, while another simply characterized the relationship as “distant.”
The lack of communication leaves Harry without firsthand information about his father’s health or prognosis, forcing him to rely on general public sources for updates.
Sources within the royal family suggest the king is maintaining distance to avoid involvement in Harry’s legal battle with the UK government over security arrangements. Harry believes Charles could restore his state-funded security, revoked after stepping back from royal duties, but the king has chosen to remain uninvolved.
The estrangement also extends to Prince William, who has refused Harry’s attempts at contact. William reportedly harbors resentment toward Harry for perceived betrayals, especially following Harry’s memoir “Spare,” which portrayed William and his wife, Kate Middleton, unfavorably.
Harry’s relationship with the royal family has worsened after Meghan’s recent actions, which appeared to breach agreements made when the couple stepped back from royal duties. Meghan drew criticism by posting a message from Ukraine’s Vice President that addressed her as “Your Royal Highness,” a title they agreed to stop using after the “Sandringham Summit.”
While King Charles generally maintains a relaxed attitude toward such agreement violations, sources suggest Prince William takes a stricter stance. Reports indicate William desires stricter measures against the couple and may consider stripping them of their titles entirely when he becomes king.
The growing divide persists despite Harry’s attempts at reconciliation. During a recent UK visit, he reportedly stayed near William’s home as an “olive branch” to mend their relationship. However, the gesture seems to have gone unacknowledged by his brother.
Royal experts believe the decision to cut off communication with Harry could have financial implications. Reports suggest King Charles faces pressure from family and courtiers to exclude Harry from his will as the rift deepens. Prince William is reportedly advocating for this change to prevent Harry from inheriting part of the monarchy’s substantial wealth, estimated at $34 billion.
Harry’s surprise trip to Ukraine last week has further complicated family dynamics. The duke visited the war zone to meet with wounded soldiers, reportedly leaving Prince William “frustrated and fuming” at palace officials. Sources say William had hoped to make a similar trip but was denied due to security concerns.
Despite the deep family divisions, Harry has expressed a desire for his children, Archie and Lilibet, to connect with their British roots and heritage. However, the security concerns that initially sparked the rift continue to hinder family reconciliation.
While some royal observers suggest King Charles should initiate steps toward mending the rift with his son, there appears to be little interest in reconciliation from either side. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that trust remains a significant obstacle to any potential reconciliation between Harry and senior royal family members.
The profound estrangement between Harry and his father marks a departure from their once-close relationship. Following Princess Diana’s death, Charles was often regarded as a devoted father who worked hard to maintain a strong bond with both his sons despite the challenges of royal life and public scrutiny.
