The United Kingdom recently marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with public events attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other senior members of the royal family. Prince Harry’s absence was notable, underscoring the ongoing rift within the family.
The royal family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast featuring 23 aircraft, including the Red Arrows. The event held emotional significance, particularly after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the last royal eyewitness to VE Day with Winston Churchill. King Charles, visibly moved, led the commemoration with Princess Kate, Prince William, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—who interacted with the public.
Prince Harry’s absence has been seen by some as indicative of King Charles’ failure to mend relations with his son. Despite his military service, Harry did not attend the VE Day events, which some commentators interpret as a challenge to King Charles’ unity efforts within the family.
The strained relationship between Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family persists. Prince William has reportedly cut ties with Harry, opting not to address his recent BBC interview, where Harry voiced disappointment over losing his legal battle for UK security funding and his strained relationship with King Charles. Despite Harry’s wish for reconciliation, William reportedly wants no further contact.
Trust issues are central to the family’s estrangement from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Sources suggest ongoing resentment, fueled by Harry’s past actions, including controversial interviews and his memoir, “Spare.” A particular issue was Harry’s BBC interview where he speculated about King Charles’s health, which drew criticism for appearing disrespectful amid the king’s public battle with cancer. Harry expressed uncertainty about “how much time” his 76-year-old father, King Charles, might have left.
Hugo Vickers, an author familiar with the royal family, expressed understanding of their situation. He noted Harry’s similarities with his late mother, Princess Diana. Recalling a Buckingham Palace visit, Vickers mentioned a letter from Prince Philip to Diana, which said, “Whenever Charles speaks to you, it ends up in the Daily Mail the very next day.”
Vickers asserted that the current circumstances reflect past events, arguing that Charles’s mistrust is justified. According to Vickers, Harry should not have agreed to the interview. He further commented that royal family members should avoid interviews to prevent negative outcomes.
In the same week as the VE Day events, Prince Harry attended a Beyoncé concert in Los Angeles, California, with Meghan Markle. Meanwhile, Meghan shared images of their children, Archie and Lilibet, on social media, highlighting the physical and emotional separation from their royal cousins.
The royal family’s public unity during VE Day events, contrasted with Prince Harry’s absence, highlights the ongoing challenges within the monarchy. As the family navigates these internal issues, the possibility of reconciliation remains uncertain.