The United Kingdom recently marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a series of public events attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other senior members of the royal family. Prince Harry was notably absent, highlighting ongoing tensions within the family.
During the events, the royal family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, observing a flypast of 75-foot aircraft, including the Red Arrows. The occasion was marked by emotional moments, especially following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who had been the last royal living witness to VE Day alongside Winston Churchill. King Charles, visibly moved, led the commemorations with Princess Kate, Prince William, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—who engaged with the crowd.
Prince Harry’s absence from these events has been seen by some as indicative of King Charles’ challenges in reconciling with his son. Although one of the few royals with active military service, Harry did not attend the VE Day celebrations. His absence is interpreted by some commentators as a significant indication of King Charles’ authority and his ability to unite the family.
The relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family remains strained. Prince William is reported to have cut off ties with his brother, opting not to discuss Harry or respond to his recent BBC interview, where Harry expressed disappointment over losing his legal battle for taxpayer-funded UK security and his strained relationship with King Charles. Despite Harry’s expressed desire for reconciliation, William is reported to be “done” with him.
Trust issues appear central to the royal family’s estrangement from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Sources claim the family harbors ongoing resentment, intensified by Harry’s past actions, including controversial interviews and the publication of his memoir, “Spare.” A particular point of contention was Harry’s BBC interview where he speculated about King Charles’s health, leading to criticism for disrespecting his father amidst the king’s public battle with cancer. Harry noted uncertainty about “how much time” his 76-year-old father, King Charles, may have left.
Hugo Vickers, an author and close associate of the royal family, expressed his understanding of their situation. He noted that Harry shares much in common with his late mother, Princess Diana. Recalling a visit to Buckingham Palace, he mentioned being shown a letter Prince Philip had written to Diana, stating, “Whenever Charles speaks to you, it ends up in the Daily Mail the very next day.”
Vickers stated that the current situation reflects past events, emphasizing that Charles is justified in his lack of trust. According to Vickers, Harry is unreliable in this regard and should not have agreed to the interview. He further commented that no member of the royal family should ever grant interviews, as they inevitably lead to negative outcomes.
In the same week as the VE Day events, Prince Harry was seen in Los Angeles, California, attending a Beyoncé concert with Meghan Markle. Meanwhile, Meghan shared photos of their children, Archie and Lilibet, on social media, underscoring the physical and emotional distance between their family and the royal cousins.
The royal family’s public display of unity during the VE Day events, contrasted with Prince Harry’s absence, underscores the ongoing challenges within the monarchy. As the royal family continues to navigate these internal dynamics, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.
Buckingham Palace declines to comment on the Prince Harry situation.
