Prince Harry has insisted his “conscience is clear” as signs of reconciliation with King Charles and the Royal Family seem closer than ever.
During his recent four-day visit to the UK, which included his first meeting with his father in 19 months, the Duke of Sussex strongly defended his actions since stepping away from royal duties with Meghan Markle in 2020—particularly his controversial memoir, Spare.
Defending Spare
Following his UK trip, Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine, where he supported veteran rehabilitation programs and spoke candidly about his family. He described Spare as an essential “correction” of the public record.
“It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out and it needed to be corrected,” Harry explained.
He firmly denied that the book was about exposing family secrets. “It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible. My conscience is clear,” he said.
“Not Revenge, But Accountability”
In the memoir, published in 2023, Harry shared painful accounts of family conflicts, including strained ties with Prince William. He defended his decision by telling The Guardian: “It is not about revenge, it is about accountability.”
Still, he admitted that such openness would continue to stir controversy. “I know that (speaking out) annoys some people and it goes against the narrative,” he acknowledged.
When asked if he was simply refusing to move on, Harry rejected that idea. “It’s not stubbornness, it is having principles,” he replied.
Stress and Struggles Over Four Years
Reflecting on his time outside royal life, Harry admitted the past few years had been difficult. “I have certainly had to deal with some very stressful events over the last four years. There has been the uncertainty and stress of the litigation and finding out certain things that have really, really hurt,” he shared.
A Step Toward Reconciliation
Speculation of a royal reconciliation intensified after Harry’s recent reunion with King Charles at Clarence House on September 10. The father and son shared “a private tea” lasting about an hour.
While Harry later described the meeting as “great,” he warned in Ukraine that repairing relationships would not be simple. “You cannot have reconciliation before you have truth,” he emphasized.
He credited Meghan Markle with guiding his approach, recalling: “She said ‘just stick to the truth’. It is the thing I always fall back on. Always.”
As Harry marks his 41st birthday today, attention remains on whether royal family members will extend public well wishes—something that could signal the next step in his journey toward healing family ties.