King Charles has ceased all communication with his son Prince Harry, as reported by People magazine. The magazine, which is known for having reliable sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, states that King Charles no longer responds to Harry’s calls or letters. Consequently, Harry is left to rely on media reports for updates on his father’s cancer condition.
The complete cessation of communication follows Harry’s public criticism of the royal family, where he accused them of stripping his security to “control” and “trap” him and Meghan Markle in the UK. This disagreement over security has become a major issue between Harry and the royal institution.
Sources indicate that the emotional gap between the 76-year-old monarch and his younger son has widened since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Their last in-person meeting was in February 2024, when Harry made a brief visit to see his father after the cancer diagnosis was revealed. People magazine mentions that Queen Camilla, whom Harry reportedly disfavors, was present during this short meeting.
A notable aspect of the current situation is the absence of private conversations between father and son since February. “I don’t think there is any rapprochement… Nothing has changed,” a palace source told People, while another described the relationship as “distant.”
The lack of communication means Harry is not directly informed about his father’s health status or prognosis, learning about it as the public does.
Insiders suggest the king maintains his distance to avoid involvement in Harry’s legal battle with the UK government over security. Harry thinks Charles could intervene to restore his security, which was removed after he stepped back from royal duties, but the king has chosen not to engage.
The estrangement also affects Prince William, who has rejected Harry’s attempts to communicate. Friends of William say he feels betrayed by Harry, especially after the release of Harry’s memoir “Spare,” which included negative portrayals of William and his wife, Kate Middleton.
Relations with the royal family have further deteriorated following Meghan’s recent actions that seemed to breach agreements made when the couple stepped back from royal roles. Meghan upset traditionalists by posting a message from the Vice President of Ukraine, referring to her as “Your Royal Highness,” a title she agreed to stop using after the “Sandringham Summit.”
Though King Charles has generally been lenient about such breaches, sources say Prince William is less forgiving. Reports indicate William wants stricter actions taken against the couple and might strip them of their titles altogether when he becomes king.
Despite Harry’s apparent efforts at reconciliation, such as staying near William’s home during a recent UK visit as an “olive branch,” the gesture reportedly went unacknowledged.
Royal analysts suggest the communication cut-off could have financial consequences. There are reports that King Charles is being pressured by family and courtiers to exclude Harry from his will due to the deepening rift. Prince William is reportedly pushing for this change to prevent Harry from inheriting part of the monarchy’s wealth, estimated at $34 billion.
Harry’s unexpected visit to Ukraine last week has further affected family dynamics. The duke went to the conflict zone to meet with injured soldiers, a move that reportedly left Prince William “frustrated and fuming” with palace officials, as William had wanted to make a similar visit but was denied due to security concerns.
Harry has expressed a desire for his children, Archie and Lilibet, to connect with their British heritage. However, the security issues that initially caused the rift continue to hinder family reconciliation efforts.
While some royal observers believe King Charles should initiate reconciliation with Harry, there seems to be little willingness for such a move from either side. Trust remains a significant barrier to any potential reconciliation between Harry and senior royals.
The estrangement marks a significant shift from the close relationship Charles and Harry once shared. After Princess Diana’s death, Charles was seen as a devoted father who worked to maintain a strong bond with his sons despite the challenges of royal life.