Prince Harry and his father King Charles have had a troubled relationship for many years. That the Duke left the Royal Family was one thing, but what he’s done since has flushed any close bond he had with his dad down the drain.
Harry faced the consequences after publicly revealing many details about his experience within the monarchy, as well as leveling serious accusations at his family members. He currently isn’t on speaking terms with his brother, Prince William, if reports are to be believed, while Harry’s relationship with his father has hardly fared better.
That said, several recent claims have been made implying that Harry is missing his old life and has ‘secretly’ been in contact with certain family members. Sadly, as it stands today, Harry will not return to the UK with his children due to security issues. Now, sources from within the British monarchy have painted a sad picture of the situation, stating in no uncertain terms that Harry is “frightened.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
