The drama surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seems to have no end. Since their move to the US, the Sussexes have only been on UK soil a few times, and due to the many revelations they made via interviews, television shows, and books, their relationship with the Royal Family has hit rock bottom.
Prince Harry & King Charles
Although Harry and Meghan have created a wonderful family in their Montecito, California mansion, the fact still stands that the Duke has left his home country and all his friends and family behind. His relationship with his brother, Prince William, is non-existent, but one bond that may yet be salvageable is the one he shares his father, King Charles.
Charles was just one of many Royal Family members left angry with Harry and the things he revealed in his book, Spare, not to mention accusations he and Meghan made during other interviews and shows. When Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria earlier this year the monarch was said to be furious, as it looked for all the world like the Sussexes were on an official royal visit.
Yet though the father-son bond is definitely damaged, King Charles will want to reconcile at some point in the future, according to royal expert and author Phil Dampier.
He told The Sun: “I think obviously the King would like to have a reconciliation with his son at some point. Not the least because he’d like to see more of his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.
“He’s only met them once or twice and that is a very tragic situation. But until he’s a lot fitter, and feeling able to cope with situations that aren’t stressful to him, I don’t think we’re going to see much progress on that.”
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Many complex issues must be settled before the Sussexes and the Royal Family might make amends for good. However, the fact that Harry and Meghan won’t even travel to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, because of security issues isn’t making things easier.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle – UK security issue
Harry has fought to have security covered by the Palace if he and Meghan decide to visit the UK with their children. The couple has said several times that they wouldn’t feel safe bringing Archie and Lilibet without it.
Last year, Harry challenged the Home Office over a decision to downgrade his security protection when visiting his home country. When Harry left royal life, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) stripped him of the right to automatic police protection in the UK. Moreover, the Duke’s offer to pay for protection was rejected because the British police force couldn’t be hired.
At a hearing, Harry’s lawyer, Shaheed Fatima KC, read parts of Harry’s statement, in which he further explained how he fears for the safety of his children – and Meghan – if they return.
“It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020,” Harry’s statement read.
“The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.”
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The Duke added: “I cannot put my wife in danger like that, and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”
Meghan Markle doesn’t want her children to attend UK schools
Harry and Meghan have previously discussed the subject of their children’s safety in the UK, and they have not taken them with them on the few occasions they’ve returned to British shores after leaving the Royal Family.
In a piece for New York magazine The Cut, journalist Allison P. Davies recalled a conversation with Meghan wherein the Duchess stated that she doesn’t want her son Archie to attend school in the UK due to safety concerns.
“Earlier in our conversation about her goals for the life she’s creating here, she’d remarked upon how, if Archie were in school in the UK, she’d never be able to do school pickup and drop-off without it being a royal photo call with a press pen of 40 people snapping pictures,” Davies wrote, as quoted by Yahoo.
Meghan told Allison: “Sorry, I have a problem with that. That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child.”
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The question of the Sussexes’ security in the UK has been discussed for a very long time. Harry has fought it in court and is set to do it again.
Prince Harry “frightened” over security issues
According to People, Harry is preparing to appeal a court ruling that upheld the decision that denied him security in the UK. An insider told the US news outlet that Harry wants to reinstate his security, which in the long run would mean more flexibility when he, his wife, and their two children visit the UK.
But though the matter of security is essential for Harry there is, sadly, another layer of importance it plays. According to a royal insider, speaking to People Magazine, whether Harry and his family get security when visiting the UK or not plays a crucial role in the Duke’s relationship with his father.
“Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father,” a royal insider told People.
Another source added: “Harry is determined to protect his own family at all costs.”
While the lack of protection has left Harry not ready to bring his wife and children to the UK, King Charles is heartbroken about not seeing his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. A source close to the king even accused Harry of’ emotional blackmailing,’ adding that the Duke pretty much has threatened his father that he’ll never again meet Archie and Lilibet.
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The source told the Daily Beast that Harry wants to pressure Charles to use his influence to help the Sussexes get increased security when visiting the UK—but whether it will ever happen is yet to be known.
Royal expert slams Prince Harry as “hypocritical”
The security issue surrounding Harry and Meghan’s possible return to the UK has been ongoing for a long time. According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, that subject has worsened Harry and his father’s relationship.
Speaking on The Royal Record podcast, Fitzwilliams claimed the father-son duo’s relationship is “dreadful.”
“This is a very, very curious issue because when the Sussexes stepped back, only to step down as senior working royals, they knew they would lose automatic police protection,” he said. “Harry believes this was a wrong decision and that it was wrongly made. He’s sued against the Home Office. I mean, he was always going to lose that.”
Fitzwilliams added: “What is clearly emerging is that he believes Britain is dangerous. Now, that appears hypocritical when you look at, say, security in Nigeria, even if it was arranged by the defence minister. Or the security in Colombia, even if the vice president is arranging it, and the facts simply are that both countries are considered somewhat dangerous, certainly parts of them.”
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Prince Harry has gone on record with a good many things about his family, and has most likely been asked by them not to reveal any more juicy stories. But could he actually release a second book? According to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, Spare II could become a possibility.
Will Prince Harry release another book when King Charles passes?
On her program, Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield dropped the bombshell claim that Prince Harry will release a second book when his father “inevitably” passes away and his brother, Prince William, becomes king.
“I do think he would write about his family again. He was waiting to publish a book after [Queen Elizabeth died]. Originally they were saying there was going to be another publication after the [late] Queen died,” Schofield said.
“I suspect that maybe he would release a book after his father passed away. Especially if Prince William continues to keep him at arm’s length. Because what would the repercussions be if Prince William pushed you out of the fold?”
Sadly, because of what Harry wrote about his family, his book might also be the one single reason why his relationship with the royals can never be repaired.
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According to a friend of King Charles, the trust has already been broken. If King Charles were to agree to a sit-down with Harry to discuss specific issues, the monarch is reportedly afraid that it could come back to haunt him if Harry decides to write a second book.
“The problem for the King and other members of the family is the worry that if they have a chat with Harry, it will appear in Spare volume two. How do you regain the trust?” a friend of Charles told the Sunday Times.
“I don’t think Harry ever can. But from the conversations I’ve had with the King, I would never say their relationship is irreparable. The King’s capacity to forgive his son is undimmed. There are other members of the royal family who are much more weighted against Harry, that’s the problem.”
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