Prince Harry may have made it seem like he’s interested in making nice with dad King Charles in his recent BBC interview, but at this rate, he may not even be given the chance. While talking to People in a new report published this week, royal experts claimed that the rift between the father and son is only growing bigger, thanks to the fact that trust is proving hard for Harry to rebuild.
Trust seems to be the crux of the royals’ issues.
According to what multiple experts told the outlet, King Charles, Prince William, and the other senior royals are struggling to be able to trust Harry after he’s been so open in public about what happens in their family behind the scenes.
Royal historian Dr. Ed Owens said that Charles once saw Harry as “one of his reliable lieutenants he could call on to support the monarchy,” but now, that’s changed.
The BBC interview only made things worse.
“The underlying issue is trust,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People. “The king and William don’t trust Harry and Meghan with any kind of confidential conversation.”
Royal author Valentine Low added that Harry’s surprise BBC interview in May zapped any desire Charles may have had to extend an olive branch to Harry.
“It wasn’t meant to be an attack, but it would be seen as one. It makes Charles reaching out even harder,” said Valentine.
No one is exactly encouraging Charles to talk to his son, either.
Apparently, nobody on Charles’ side of this fight is encouraging him to try to talk things out with Harry, including his wife, Camilla, who an insider said is staying out of it.
“There is not a good angel in his ear to say, ‘Be a good dad and make the first move,’” Valentine said.
It’s no surprise Camilla isn’t up for the task — after all, throughout the feud Harry hasn’t tried to hide that he isn’t his stepmother’s biggest fan.
Finding some way to have a relationship with each other may not be totally impossible, though.
They’re not about to kiss and make up anytime soon, but the experts seem to agree that reconciliation will happen eventually.
“This is a family rift rather than a constitutional rift — it’s what happens to families. Both sides have to reach a point where they realize they can’t carry on as they are,” Valentine said.
The royal historian added, “I would like to think the King will take that step toward reconciliation with Harry in due course.”
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