Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, remain among the most controversial figures in the British royal family after stepping down from their senior roles and breaking from tradition. Since leaving royal duties behind, they have focused on public service initiatives, but their relationship with the monarchy remains tense.
Recently, the royal family faced backlash for allegedly disrespecting Prince Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie, on his fifth birthday. Now, reports suggest that Prince Harry was in tears after being snubbed by his father, King Charles.
A Deepening Rift with Prince William
Harry’s strained relationship with his father is not the only issue. His bond with his older brother, Prince William, 41, has also suffered. The two were once inseparable, shaped by the tragic loss of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997 when they were just 15 and 12 years old.
Diana’s biographer, Andrew Morton, once described their relationship as “incredibly intimate.” However, tensions escalated after Harry and Meghan left royal life, and things worsened following the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare. A source told Us Weekly that William “doesn’t even recognize” his brother anymore, though he still holds onto hope for reconciliation.
At King Charles’ coronation in May 2023, the brothers reportedly kept their distance, and their relationship now appears even more fractured—this time due to a decision made by their father.
A Painful Snub from King Charles
During his recent visit to the UK, Prince Harry was reportedly unable to meet with King Charles due to the monarch’s “full programme.” However, some reports suggest that Harry also declined an offer to stay in a royal residence.
The situation became even more complicated when King Charles made a major announcement during Harry’s visit—one that many believe was a clear message about his estrangement from the royal family.
Royal commentator Tom Quinn told The Mirror that the timing was “deliberate” and meant to “have maximum impact.” According to Quinn, Harry was “in tears” upon learning that his father had appointed Prince William as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps—a role many thought would go to Harry, given his military service.
A Bitter Pill to Swallow
Prince Harry has spoken fondly of his time in the military, particularly his service in Afghanistan, where he found a sense of normalcy and merit-based recognition. Losing this honorary role to Prince William may have felt like another sign of his exclusion from royal life.
However, royal commentator Pandora Forsyth defended the decision, telling Sky News that Prince William is the “right fit for the role.” She noted that when Harry stepped back from his duties, he “knew he would have to give up his honorary military titles.”
While Harry once described William as both his “beloved brother and archnemesis” in Spare, this latest development suggests that the divide between them is deeper than ever.