The relationship between King Charles and Prince Harry has been at a low point for years, and they reportedly only speak to each other if necessary.
Shortly after King Charles’s cancer diagnosis was made public, Prince Harry traveled to the UK to be at his father’s side. Some reports also suggested that he could return to royal duty if everything felt right; however, if William decides that, it is out of the question.
Prince Harry & King Charles
While King Charles has been very disappointed and angry about what his youngest son has said about him and his family members in interviews and through his memoir, Spare, the king’s grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are the one thing that prevents the father-son duo from having zero contact.
According to royal expert Angela Levin, no matter what happens between Charles and Harry, Charles misses his grandchildren and dearly wants to see them.
In his book OUR KING: Charles III: The Man and the Monarch, royal author Robert Jobson describes Charles’s anguish over Archie and Lilibet, who are sixth and seventh in the line of succession.
Jobson writes that Archie and Lilbet are “always in Charles’ heart,” though the rift between Harry & Meghan and the royals has made things challenging.
“Unfortunately, due to the poor relationship with his second son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, Charles has spent hardly any quality time with his other grandchildren, Archie and his sister, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor,” Jobson wrote in his book.
“But those close to him say they are always in his heart. It is one of the reasons he finds the estrangement from his second son so difficult to cope with.”
King Charles to visit Harry in the US?
Not long ago, royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror that the 75-year-old monarch has “had discussions” about traveling to America to visit his estranged son and his family “at some time in the future.”
“There is no doubt if it goes ahead he would build in time to visit his youngest son and his grandchildren, but there are mountains of planning to be overcome before that becomes even a remote possibility,” Quinn said.
“It’s certainly possible that he would make a discreet private visit to Harry and the children in California,” the royal expert continued. “He is desperate to see them and hates the idea that Archie and Lily will not remember him as the warm friendly grandfather he wants to be.”
Moreover, relationship expert Louella Alderson told the Mirror that Charles visiting Harry in America would be seen as a “significant gesture” to repair their broken relationship.
“The logistics behind King Charles’s making a trip to America, whether it’s private or not, and meeting with Harry without may prove difficult. King Charles has many Royal obligations and now health issues as well, so a trip to America in any capacity would likely require careful planning and coordination,” Louella Alderson said.
“This fact alone means if King Charles is willing to make the effort and put forth the time and energy to visit Harry in America, it could be a significant gesture of his desire to mend their relationship.”
Prince Harry revealed he cut half of the content in ‘Spare’ draft
She concluded, “It’s possible that he may be more willing to address any issues and work towards finding a resolution than he has been previously.”
Prince Harry’s book Spare changed everything. His relationship with his royal family members deteriorated even more when the book was released, as he revealed many things about his family that had never before been revealed.
Meanwhile, the royal family has made no comment on the book’s content. But as for the material, Harry previously revealed that he had to cut nearly half of it from the first draft.
“The first draft was different,” he told The Telegraph. “It was 800 pages, and now it’s down to 400 pages. It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.”
The Duke also revealed that much content was removed from Spare as it would cause the rift between his brother, Prince William, and his father to become even more toxic.
“There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know,” Harry said. “Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.”
Reports of Harry possibly writing a second book began only days after Spare was published. Royal expert Tom Quinn argued that the decision to publish a second book would see an “end to Harry’s relationship” with his family.
Harry to release second book after King Charles’ passing, royal expert claims
The same goes for former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, who stated that the Palace doors would be “slammed” if a second book was ever published.
“I can’t imagine that Harry would contemplate a follow up to Spare. He has indicated that he wants to move on: he has said his piece, vented his anger and faced the consequences,” Bond said.
“I don’t believe for a moment that he will revisit his grievances in a second book. There might be one about his work, or Invictus or the joys of parenthood but not about his issues with the past.”
The former BBC royal correspondent added, “If he did go there, then I am sure the response would be a continued dignified silence and a resounding crash as the Palace doors slammed on any hope of future reconciliation.”
While some argue that Harry won’t release another book, everyone isn’t agreeing on that. On her program, Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield dropped a bombshell claim that Prince Harry will release a second book – when his father “inevitably” passes away and his brother, Prince William, becomes king.
“I do think he would write about his family again. He was waiting to publish a book after [Queen Elizabeth died]. Originally they were saying there was going to be another publication after the [late] Queen died,” Schofield said.
“I suspect that maybe he would release a book after his father passed away. Especially if Prince William continues to keep him at arm’s length. Because what would the repercussions be if Prince William pushed you out of the fold?”
“Harry misses some aspects of his old life”
Prince Harry has seemed happy about his life in the US. However, there have been reports that that isn’t the whole story.
According to Tom Quinn, Harry misses his army and college friends dearly. Sadly, they haven’t visited him in California because “they don’t get on with Meghan.” As a result, it’s been reported that the Duke is now looking for a “permanent” home in the UK.
“As time goes by, Harry misses some aspects of his old life in the UK. Inevitably, the honeymoon period where everything in the States is new and exciting is coming to an end and Harry is looking back at the past through rose-tinted spectacles,” Quinn claimed.
He added, “He misses his Old Etonian and army friends, many of whom have not visited as they don’t get on with Meghan. Harry is determined to find his own permanent home in the UK, which is partly why he’s continuing his legal action to get the British taxpayer to pay for his security.”
While Harry has been visiting the UK several times over the last few years, he hasn’t met his family members except for one short meeting with his father amid the cancer diagnosis.
Harry has ‘no interest’ in mending feud with royal family, expert says
According to royal expert Jennie Bond, that could give an insight into what the Duke wants. Speaking with OK! Bond claimed that the estranged former royal might not be interested in making amends. That could, possibly, in one way, point towards him releasing a second book.
“If Harry had really wanted to confront his family and patch things up, he would surely have allotted more time to his recent visits so that his father – at least – could make arrangements to see him,” Jennie Bond said.
“I don’t think there’s any chance of William wanting to do so, particularly with all he has on his plate right now,” Bond said of the brothers possibly burying the hatchet.