Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have publicly criticized many members of the Royal Family, including Queen Camilla. In his memoir Spare, Harry described Camilla as “dangerous” and a “villain,” accusing her of using him as a sacrifice for her “PR altar.
He also revealed that he had pleaded with his father, now King Charles, not to marry Camilla, even wondering if she would become his “wicked stepmother.
Harry shared that he and his brother, Prince William, felt the impact of Camilla’s presence in their parents’ troubled marriage, with William experiencing “tremendous guilt” after Charles and Camilla’s union.
Despite these harsh accusations, sources close to Camilla have revealed that she did not fixate on the Sussexes’ criticisms. An insider told Newsweek that discussions about the rift between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the royals are “almost never discussed” within the Palace. Camilla reportedly remained composed and focused on her duties, avoiding public engagement with the controversy.
Harry’s memoir, which mentions Camilla 60 times, also detailed his “mixed feelings” about his father’s marriage. He accused Camilla of leaking negative stories about him to the press and claimed she had “sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.” However, he admitted that he set aside his emotions upon seeing his father’s happiness with Camilla.
The relationship between Harry and the Royal Family has grown increasingly strained. It has been over a year since King Charles last saw Harry, and their interactions have been minimal. In February 2024, Harry briefly visited his father in London after the King’s cancer diagnosis, but their meeting lasted less than an hour. Harry spent the night in a hotel before returning to California.
Sources close to Harry have claimed that his attempts to discuss security arrangements with his father have been met with unanswered calls. Harry has been involved in a long-running dispute over his security in the UK, having lost his automatic right to police protection after stepping down as a working royal. Despite losing court battles to have it reinstated for himself, Meghan, and their children, Harry is reportedly planning an appeal. He believes his father could help resolve the issue, but a palace source dismissed this claim as “wholly inaccurate.”
Friends of Harry have expressed that he feels “frightened” and believes his father is the only one who can address his concerns. An insider noted that Harry is “determined to protect his own family at all costs.” The same sources explained that Harry and Meghan felt they had no choice but to step back from royal duties for their “sanity.” They hoped that leaving the royal bubble would reduce the intense focus on them, but the spotlight has remained.
Overall, the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, particularly regarding Camilla and King Charles, continue to make headlines, highlighting the deep divisions within the monarchy.
