Prince Harry Pushes Back on Rumors About His Reunion With King Charles

Prince Harry is putting his royal foot down.

Following a recent meeting with his father, King Charles III, after 19 months apart, Prince Harry addressed reports suggesting he felt like an outsider during the visit. He clarified that he felt like a family member, not just a visitor.

A representative for Prince Harry stated on September 27th that recent reports about his feelings regarding the meeting are completely untrue. They said the quotes attributed to him were fabricated and likely came from people trying to damage any potential reconciliation between Harry and his father.

The spokesperson confirmed that Prince Harry, who shares children Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, with his wife Meghan Markle, gave his father a framed photo. However, they denied reports that the photo featured Harry and Meghan themselves.

Although we generally keep these kinds of details confidential, we want to clarify that a framed photo was indeed given to the relevant parties. However, the photo did not include the Duke and Duchess.

Four months before their private meeting on September 10th, Prince Harry expressed his desire to mend fences with his father, King Charles, and the rest of his family, including his brother, Prince William, from whom he was estranged.

Harry recently told the BBC that he’s been having disagreements with some family members for years. He explained that the main issue, the one thing still causing conflict after five years, is a matter of human life and safety.

Besides the reduced security Harry receives from the U.K., he also mentioned that some of his family members still disagree with his 2023 book, *Spare*.

It breaks my heart, but I’ve accepted that some of my family will likely never come around because of my book. Honestly, it’s not just the book, though-they’ve held onto grievances for a long time, and I don’t think they’ll ever truly let go.

Read on for a deeper look into the rift between Prince Harry and Prince William.

In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry remembers being thrilled for his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, to meet Meghan Markle. He felt somewhat hurt, he writes, when William reportedly cautioned him to take things slowly, remarking, “She’s an American actress, Harold, anything could happen.” Harry clarifies that this is his recollection of the conversation.

Harry recalled introducing Meghan to William in October 2016. Meghan, known for being affectionate, went to hug William, but he initially stepped back. Harry said William quickly warmed up, though, and soon exchanged friendly words with Meghan.

Kate didn’t attend the initial meeting, with William explaining she was occupied with the children. However, Meghan later shared in the 2022 Netflix docuseries *Harry & Meghan* about a similar awkwardness with Kate when they first met in early 2017. Despite this, things weren’t entirely cold; authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote in their 2020 book, *Finding Freedom*, that Kate encouraged Meghan to contact her whenever she needed support, acknowledging the challenges Meghan faced as someone entering the royal family.

At the time, the British newspapers were only guessing about Harry and Meghan’s relationship. It wasn’t until November 8, 2016, that Kensington Palace officially confirmed they were dating. The statement specifically called Meghan Markle Harry’s girlfriend, and it strongly criticized the media for invading her privacy. It also condemned the racist and sexist comments being made about her online.

In his memoir, *Spare*, Harry shared that his father and brother strongly criticized him for a statement he made. They were upset, believing it implied they hadn’t adequately defended their partners from media harassment.

Rumors circulated that the family disapproved of Harry’s actions, leading Kensington Palace to issue a statement on November 27th. The statement confirmed William understood the importance of privacy and supported Harry’s desire to help those he cared about.

According to Prince Harry’s memoir, *Spare*, William initially reacted negatively to Harry’s relationship with Meghan and later tried to convince him to slow down his plans to propose.

Harry said William cautioned him against rushing into an engagement, suggesting it was too early. William questioned whether Harry was certain about his partner and warned him about the challenges ahead.

To which Harry recalled replying, “‘What do you want me to do? Fall out of love with her?'”

According to the book *Finding Freedom*, a mutual friend said William was simply trying to protect Harry from being caught off guard romantically.

The day before Harry’s wedding, William and Harry appeared as friendly as ever while greeting people outside King Edwards Gate. However, according to Harry’s book, *Spare*, William attempted to cancel what Harry thought would be a final pre-wedding dinner – similar to how they’d spent the night before William’s own wedding.

Despite the difficulties in our relationship, I’d always felt a strong connection between us, Harry wrote. After having tea with the Queen and greeting well-wishers, he invited the person to dinner, suggesting they could stay overnight like they had before the wedding. The person agreed to dinner but said they wouldn’t be able to stay.

In his memoir *Spare*, Harry questioned whether his brother was hurt by not being asked to be his best man. He also wondered if his brother was bothered that he’d chosen his longtime friend, Charlie van Straubenzee, a schoolmate from childhood, instead.

According to Harry, William readily believed negative tabloid stories about Meghan. Harry was deeply upset that his family didn’t seem to care about protecting her, even after their wedding on May 19, 2018. The situation escalated during a visit from William, while Meghan was out of town. Their disagreement turned into a shouting fight, and Harry claims William physically attacked him, grabbing his collar and knocking him to the ground.

Harry wrote that he later told his therapist he was proud of himself for not hitting William back.

Harry has explained, in his book *Spare*, the *Harry & Meghan* documentary, and various interviews, that there was a calculated system of exchange between the royal family and the British media – a give-and-take where both sides benefited.

In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he described a system where the institution offered significant benefits to some journalists in return for positive news coverage, believing that maintaining a good public image was crucial for its future.

Harry explained in the Netflix series that information wasn’t just leaked – it was also deliberately fabricated or switched around. He described situations where one family member’s team might offer damaging information about another to suppress an unwanted story. He and William once promised each other they would never misuse their communications staff in this way.

According to Harry, after their relationship-both professional and personal-began to fall apart in 2018, William didn’t keep his promises. Harry stated he’d rather face negative press than participate in a system of exchanging information for positive coverage. He was particularly hurt to see William’s team engage in the very behavior they had both agreed to avoid.

For ten years, Prince William and Prince Harry shared an office, and Kate joined them after marrying William in 2011. Reports started appearing in October 2018 suggesting that William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan, were planning to separate their households.

On November 24, 2018, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were moving from their home at Nottingham Cottage in London. They were moving to Frogmore Cottage, located in Windsor’s Home Park, to prepare for the arrival of their first child. Their previous home was near the larger residence of Prince William and Kate.

The royal family traditionally comes together during the holidays, which is why news of the separation wasn’t officially announced until March 24, 2019. On that date, Queen Elizabeth II released a statement confirming she had approved Harry and Meghan establishing their own household and office at Buckingham Palace.

Harry noted in Spare the announcement came “soon after” his and William’s dust-up.

In April 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launched their Sussex Royal social media accounts. Two months later, in June, they announced they would be separating from The Royal Foundation – a charity originally created with Prince William – and starting their own independent charitable organization.

During a September 2019 trip to Africa with his then-5-month-old son, Archie, Prince Harry spoke to journalist Tom Bradby for ITV. Addressing rumors of a strained relationship with his brother, William, Harry explained that most of the reports were untrue, but acknowledged that, like any siblings, they experienced both good and bad times.

Harry admitted things have changed, but emphasized their bond remains strong. While they’re currently living separate lives and don’t see each other often due to busy schedules, he and his brother will always have a brotherly connection and support each other. He loves his brother very much.

The interview first broadcast on October 20, 2019, as part of the documentary *Harry & Meghan: An African Journey*. Following its release, reports surfaced that the royal family was upset with Harry and Meghan for sharing personal details. However, a source at Kensington Palace told the BBC that Prince William was primarily concerned for his brother and sister-in-law, as they appeared to be struggling emotionally.

Following a six-week break dedicated to family – including a Christmas spent away from Sandringham with the Queen and Harry’s family – the Sussexes announced on January 8, 2020, their intention to step down as senior royals. They planned to move to North America and become financially independent, while still hoping to fully support the Queen.

Following news that the Queen was aware her grandson was struggling, she was surprised by the public announcement of their decision. The palace responded by saying there were still many details to work out regarding Harry and Meghan’s departure. The Queen immediately called an emergency meeting with Charles and William, with William increasingly taking on a larger role in important discussions with the monarch.

According to London’s *Sunday Times*, Prince William confided in a friend that the ongoing negotiations had created a distance between him and his brother. He said he’s always been close to his brother, but they are now separate individuals. He expressed sadness over this rift and hopes they can eventually find common ground and work together as a united family. He wants everyone to be on the same team.

On January 13, 2020, Prince Harry and Prince William issued a joint statement criticizing a news story that claimed Prince William’s behavior towards Meghan Markle contributed to their decision to step back as senior royals. The statement pointed out that, despite previous denials, a UK newspaper published a false story about the relationship between the two brothers. They added that using sensationalized language about this issue was hurtful and irresponsible, especially considering their commitment to mental health awareness.

Only, according to Harry, that statement was attributed to him without his knowledge.

He recounted in the Netflix documentary *Harry & Meghan* that he was shocked no one had asked his consent before releasing a statement using his name. He explained that the statement upset Meghan because, while they were quick to lie to defend his brother within four hours, they hadn’t been willing to tell the truth to support them for three years.

Once Harry, William, Charles, and the Queen agreed on the details of Harry and Meghan’s departure – including retaining their royal titles but not profiting from them, and losing government-funded security – the couple returned to London for a final week of official engagements.

The last time Harry and Meghan were seen with Kate and William in public was at a Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2020. After that, they weren’t photographed together for over two years.

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns began shortly after, separating the couple across different continents. This made the official start of Harry and Meghan’s new life on March 31st surprisingly quiet and unremarkable.

When Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, gave a tell-all interview to Oprah on CBS in March 2021, it seemed like they were revealing everything. However, looking back, Harry actually held back quite a bit when discussing his relationship with his brother, William.

Harry agreed with Oprah that there would be a lot more discussion about everything. He reiterated his love for William, saying, ‘He’s my brother, and we’ve been through incredibly difficult times together – we share a lot of history. But we’re simply living different lives now.’

I was recently asked about where things stand with Oprah, and honestly, we’re just giving each other space right now. It’s a classic situation – I truly believe time will help things heal, and hopefully, we’ll be in a better place down the road.

He presented his current situation as a positive change, explaining that he hadn’t understood how restricted he’d felt before meeting Meghan. He believes his father and brother are still stuck in that same difficult situation, saying, “They don’t have the option to move on,” and that he feels deeply sympathetic towards them.

During their interview with Oprah, Harry and Meghan revealed that a member of the royal family – though not the Queen or Prince Philip – questioned what their first child’s skin tone might be. This was one of the most shocking revelations from the conversation.

Following the interview, the palace issued a statement on March 9th expressing sadness about the difficulties Harry and Meghan have faced in recent years. They acknowledged the seriousness of the issues raised, especially regarding race, and stated that while memories of events may differ, the concerns will be addressed privately within the family. The palace affirmed that Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be cherished members of the family.

While visiting a school in London with Kate on March 11th, William was asked about the recent interview with his brother, Harry. He confirmed he hadn’t spoken to Harry yet, but plans to.

When a reporter directly asked Prince William if the royal family was racist, he firmly denied it, stating, “We are very much not a racist family.”

At Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021, Harry and William appeared similar to how they used to be seen together. Harry returned to the U.K. for the event, marking his first trip back since stepping down as a senior royal, while Meghan remained in California as she was seven months pregnant.

As a longtime follower of Prince Harry, I was particularly struck by what he shared in the introduction to *Spare*. He explained that it was after Prince Philip’s funeral – a time when he really hoped to finally talk things through with his father and brother – that he had a heartbreaking realization. They simply didn’t understand him, not at all. It was a pivotal moment, and honestly, a really sad one to read about.

I had promised myself I wouldn’t let this conversation turn into another fight, Harry wrote. But it quickly became clear that it wasn’t just up to me. My father and Willy were determined to argue, and they both seemed prepared for it. Willy, especially, wasn’t willing to listen to anything I had to say. After he dismissed my points repeatedly, we started bickering, repeating the same old arguments we’d had for months – even years.

Harry remembered that Charles eventually stepped in, begging them, “Please, boys-don’t make my last years difficult.”

William pointed out to Harry that he was the one who had chosen to leave. Harry responded by saying William understood the reasons behind his departure, but William denied knowing why.

Oh my gosh, it was everything! July 1st, 2021… I was practically glued to the screen when Harry and William reunited to finally unveil the statue of our Princess Di. It was her 60th birthday, you see, and they dedicated it in the most perfect spot – the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. Honestly, it was so moving to see them together again, honoring their mother like that. I’ll never forget it!

When Oprah asked Harry how his mother, Princess Diana, would feel about his decision to step down as a senior royal, he replied that she’d likely be both angry and saddened by how things turned out. However, he believes her biggest wish would be for him and his family to be happy.

Meghan and Harry were visiting the U.K. when Queen Elizabeth II’s health declined, and she passed away on September 8, 2022.

In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry recounts receiving a call from his father, King Charles, informing him that his grandmother was ill and he needed to travel to Balmoral in Scotland immediately-and by himself. Harry explained that Charles wanted to limit who was present, stating that no other spouses were invited, so Meghan shouldn’t come either, as Kate wasn’t attending.

I was so saddened to hear that when I finally got to Balmoral, the Queen had already passed. It was a difficult day, made even harder by the fact that my father and brother weren’t there when I arrived. I did manage to have lunch with most of the family, but it just wasn’t the same without them.

Harry and Meghan reunited with William and Kate at Windsor Castle to greet people paying their respects, marking the first time they’ve been photographed together as a group since March 2020.

While there were rumors of strong reactions from the royal family to Prince Harry’s book, *Spare*, the palace itself didn’t release any official statements about it.

Harry repeatedly explained that he wasn’t trying to damage his family relationships, but instead wanted to openly address past issues so they could finally understand what he’d experienced over the years. He emphasized that his struggles and unresolved trauma dated back decades, well before he met Meghan.

In an interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby on January 8th, he explained that he didn’t understand how being honest could damage relationships. He believes that staying quiet only enables harmful behavior, and doesn’t see how silence could ever improve a situation.

He said he’s open to resolving the situation, but wants those responsible to take ownership of their actions. He’s come to terms with many things that have occurred, but that doesn’t mean he’ll simply forget about them.

Harry realized he longed for forgiveness and the chance to make amends. “I wish I could reconnect with my father,” he said, “and with my brother. Right now, it feels like we’re strangers to each other.”

He emphasized his deep love for his family, stating that everything he’d accomplished, both in this book and in life, was never meant to cause them any pain or harm.

Talking to The Telegraph after Spare came out, Harry said that he actually held back in his meaty memoir.

In a recent interview, he explained he has private issues with both his brother and father that he prefers to keep confidential. He fears sharing these details would permanently damage their relationships.

Harry explained that the first version of the manuscript was a hefty 800 pages long, but they were able to cut it down to a more manageable 416 pages. He added that it easily could have been published as two separate books, and the biggest challenge was deciding what to remove.

2025-09-27 22:50

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