King Charles is reportedly not taking any phone calls from Prince Harry, marking a deepening of their estrangement. In his book *The King*, Royal author Christopher Andersen suggests that Harry’s criticism of Queen Camilla has significantly contributed to this rift.
Andersen explains that Harry’s portrayal of Camilla as a “villain” and his revelations about his and Prince William’s objections to their father’s marriage have deeply offended Charles.
“When Harry branded his stepmother Camilla a ‘villain’ in his book and revealed that both he and William initially begged their father not to marry her, Harry committed what Charles regards as a cardinal sin.”
Andersen emphasized that criticizing Camilla is a grave offence within royal circles, and Charles does not forgive Harry for these remarks. This tension has reportedly worsened, with People magazine noting that Charles, who is currently battling an undisclosed form of cancer, has ceased communication with Harry. Despite a reportedly positive meeting in February, the relationship between father and son deteriorated.
A friend of Harry revealed that his attempts to reach out to Charles, including inquiries about the king’s health, have been met with silence.
The friend noted that Harry’s calls are unanswered, and there has been “complete silence” from Charles. Adding to the complexity, Prince William is said to have aligned with Charles, further straining hopes for reconciliation.
Some palace insiders have suggested that Harry’s memoir, *Spare*, and his public statements have damaged the family’s trust in him. Harry’s associates argue that his public disclosures are driven by the need to secure funding for his protection, which he lost after stepping down as a senior royal in 2020. They believe resolving the security issue could lead to de-escalation.
Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on the situation. Andersen indicated that while Charles might forgive some of Harry’s actions, the attacks on Camilla remain a significant obstacle. Harry accused Camilla of leaking private conversations to the media to enhance her reputation and suggested that members of the royal family, including Camilla, had compromised themselves for favourable press coverage.
These allegations are susceptible due to Camilla’s role in the breakdown of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana. Despite initial public disdain, Camilla has gained acceptance through her charitable work and influence on Charles. Her role in Charles’ life and public image has made the situation more contentious.
Harry’s concerns about his father’s health are reportedly genuine. However, Charles’ advisors, including Camilla, have suggested avoiding involvement in what they term the “Harry and Meghan mess.” British broadcaster Helena Chard speculated that palace aides might be filtering Harry’s calls to reduce stress during Charles’ cancer treatment.
Harry’s strained relationship with his family has been widely reported, contributing to the ongoing rift. His legal battles over security in the UK have further complicated matters. Despite his desire for reconciliation, significant obstacles remain, as evidenced by his exclusion from recent royal gatherings.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich expressed hope for eventual reconciliation, noting that Charles is deeply saddened by the estrangement but not holding a grudge.
However, any potential peace talks are unlikely to occur soon. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to join the royal family at Balmoral Castle, continuing Queen Elizabeth’s tradition.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have settled in California, have not visited the UK with their children since Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Their absence from recent royal events underscores the ongoing tension and distance between Harry and the rest of the royal family.
