Prince Harry felt deeply let down by his father, King Charles III, after his security was removed in 2020. However, it’s reported that the King has since taken steps to protect his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, from further public embarrassment. Despite the ongoing tensions between them, Charles has shown a willingness to shield the couple from additional humiliation.
The relationship between King Charles and Prince Harry has been strained for years, especially after Harry and Meghan decided to step back as senior members of the Royal Family in 2020. Their departure, often referred to as “Megxit,” was followed by a series of public revelations that highlighted the rift between the couple and the rest of the Royal Family.
One of the most significant moments came in 2023 when Harry released his memoir, *Spare*, which detailed his struggles with the Royal Family, including the removal of his police protection in 2020.
In the book, Harry described how he felt abandoned by his father after his security was taken away, despite facing serious threats to his safety. He revealed that when he tried to discuss the issue with Charles, his father refused to take his calls. This left Harry feeling deeply hurt, especially since he believed his father, who had also experienced personal struggles and public scrutiny, would understand his pain. During his March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry expressed his disappointment, saying, “I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, [and] Archie’s his grandson.”
Despite these feelings of betrayal, Harry has made it clear that he still loves his father and is committed to repairing their relationship. He acknowledged the history of hurt between them but emphasized that he wants to heal the bond. In his memoir, he wrote, “I will always love him, but there’s a lot of hurt that’s happened, and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship. But they only know what they know, or what they’re told.”
When King Charles revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Harry immediately flew to the UK to be by his father’s side, putting their differences aside. Speaking to *Good Morning America*, Harry said, “I jumped on a plane and went to see him as soon as I could. Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
While King Charles has remained mostly silent about his relationship with Harry, his actions suggest that he still cares deeply for his son and daughter-in-law. Despite the ongoing drama since “Megxit,” there have been calls from some quarters for Harry and Meghan to be stripped of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
However, sources close to the King have made it clear that he has no intention of taking such a step. According to insiders, Charles is “not a punitive man” and has no desire to “humiliate” Harry and Meghan. Even as Buckingham Palace reportedly considers various options, stripping the couple of their titles is not something the King would ever consider.
It’s worth noting that the late Queen Elizabeth II had already removed Harry and Meghan’s HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles after they stepped back from their royal duties. If Meghan were to lose her Duchess of Sussex title, she could technically adopt the title Princess Henry as the wife of a royal prince.
One of the major sticking points in the relationship between Harry and his father is the ongoing legal battle over Harry’s security. In 2020, Harry lost his taxpayer-funded police protection after stepping back from royal duties. He has since taken legal action against the Home Office, challenging the decision to remove his automatic right to police protection in the UK. Although his initial lawsuit was unsuccessful, he has been granted the right to appeal the decision.
Royal commentator Kate Mansey has suggested that this legal battle is a significant obstacle to reconciliation between Harry and Charles. Writing for The Times, she explained that the King feels he cannot fully reconcile with his son while the case is still ongoing. The Royal household is represented on the committee that made the decision to remove Harry’s security, which puts Charles in a difficult position. Until the legal matter is resolved, it seems unlikely that the relationship between father and son will fully heal.
As for Meghan, there is reportedly no communication between her and the King or Queen Camilla. The ongoing tensions and legal battles continue to cast a shadow over the relationship between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the Royal Family. While King Charles has shown a willingness to protect his son from further humiliation, the road to reconciliation remains long and uncertain.
