Prince Harry’s life changed forever when he and Meghan Markle decided to step away from the Royal Family in 2020. Since then, he has openly shared shocking revelations about his royal past through interviews and his memoir Spare, making serious accusations against his family. These revelations have significantly strained his relationship with the royals, particularly with his brother, Prince William, whom he reportedly hasn’t spoken to in years.
Harry and Meghan have chosen not to return to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, meaning the kids have no real relationship with their royal relatives—a situation many find unfortunate. Reports suggest that Harry may have regrets about some aspects of his memoir, but a royal expert strongly dismisses such claims.
The tension between Harry and the Royal Family has persisted for five years. Despite the shocking revelations in Spare, Buckingham Palace has remained silent, with King Charles, Prince William, and other senior royals refusing to comment publicly on the matter. Meanwhile, another issue adding to the friction is Harry and Meghan’s security concerns. The couple insists they won’t return to the UK until they are granted the level of security they deem necessary.
Harry has been actively fighting a legal battle against the Home Office’s decision to downgrade his security. Some sources claim he wants King Charles to intervene on his behalf, but others argue that such involvement would be inappropriate. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams describes Harry’s relationship with his father as “dreadful,” noting that when the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties, they were aware they would lose police protection.
Despite the rift, a friend of Harry’s stated that his ultimate goal is to ensure his family’s safety in the UK so that his children can experience their father’s homeland and he can continue supporting his charitable causes. However, King Charles has reportedly declined to challenge the government’s security decision.
Life in the U.S. has been vastly different for Harry and Meghan—not only due to the lifestyle shift but also because Harry has lost touch with many old friends. Some believe he may even miss aspects of his former royal role, particularly his military affiliations. Fitzwilliams suggests that Harry’s exile was self-imposed and that he may regret not securing a part-time royal arrangement.
While Spare sold millions of copies and generated significant earnings, it also deepened the divide between Harry and his family. British broadcaster Helena Chard argues that Harry underestimated the consequences of his public criticisms and failed to anticipate the backlash from both his family and the public.
Harry has also been described as socially awkward and prone to cutting off friends who don’t align with his views. His relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains the most fractured, with the two reportedly not speaking for over three years. Experts suggest that while King Charles may eventually attempt reconciliation, William has no interest in forgiving his brother, seeing him as untrustworthy.
Additionally, Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, believes Harry has abandoned his mother’s values, particularly her emphasis on public service as the price of privilege. Burrell claims that Harry has embraced a celebrity lifestyle that contrasts sharply with his royal upbringing.
A recent Vanity Fair article cast a harsh light on Harry and Meghan, reinforcing negative perceptions about the couple. Burrell believes the piece reflects widespread opinions within royal circles and that many close to the couple share similar sentiments.
While some royal watchers hold out hope for a reconciliation, experts believe it remains unlikely—particularly between Harry and William, whose relationship appears irreparably damaged.