According to a royal commentator, King Charles’s relationship with Prince Harry is reportedly “severely strained and more than just distant” after a significant turning point following Harry’s dramatic exit from royal duties.
Since relocating to the U.S. in 2020, Harry’s ties with his family, especially his father and brother, Prince William, have noticeably deteriorated.
Harry recently made a trip back to the UK for a two-day court hearing, where he appealed a ruling related to his reduced security status in Britain. However, he did not meet with King Charles during the visit.
The last time the two were seen together was in February, when Harry rushed to the UK after the King revealed his cancer diagnosis. Royal expert Hilary Fordwich has now claimed that the father-son relationship has worsened even more since the King’s coronation in 2023, especially in light of Harry’s ongoing legal fight with the British government.
In a statement to Fox News, Fordwich said: “Their bond is now… severely strained and more distant than ever—worse than when Harry was seated three rows back during the coronation.”
She explained that Harry’s public legal battle over his security arrangements has only deepened the rift.
According to Fordwich, King Charles is deliberately keeping his distance from Harry to avoid both legal complications and additional emotional turmoil. She added that palace advisors and courtiers, who are said to view Harry in an extremely negative light, are also influencing this decision. Reconciliation, she said, seems highly unlikely anytime soon.
She further noted that Harry’s relationship with Prince William is equally fractured.
Prince Harry is currently appealing a High Court decision that upheld a ruling by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which downgraded his taxpayer-funded security after he stepped down as a senior royal.
In the original ruling, High Court judge Sir Peter Lane determined that Ravec’s decision was lawful and reasonable. However, Harry has challenged that finding, claiming unfair treatment.
During last week’s hearing, Shaheed Fatima KC, representing Harry, argued that he was “unjustly singled out” and that the term “bespoke” security did not equate to better protection.
