Reports suggest that King Charles is ignoring Prince Harry’s phone calls, and a royal author explains why this might be the case.
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” informed Fox News Digital that when Harry called his stepmother Camilla a ‘villain’ in his memoir and disclosed that he and William had requested their father not to marry her, it was something Charles considers unforgivable.
According to Andersen, “Traditionally, in royal circles, no one criticizes Camilla and expects to remain unscathed – not even the king’s own son.”
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King Charles III is reportedly ignoring phone calls and letters from Prince Harry. (Loic Venance/AFP via Getty Images)
“When Harry labeled his stepmother Camilla as a ‘villain’ in his memoir and revealed that both he and William had implored their father not to marry her, Harry committed what Charles views as a significant transgression.”
Andersen’s remarks follow a report from People magazine indicating a growing estrangement between the Duke of Sussex and the monarch, who is contending with an undisclosed type of cancer.
Per the magazine, after a “positive meeting” in February, the communication between father and son has deteriorated. Associates of Harry, aged 39, have indicated that the 75-year-old monarch is not responding to his son’s calls or letters.
According to a friend, Harry receives notifications that the king is “currently unavailable.” “His calls are unanswered. He has reached out regarding the king’s health, but those attempts also go ignored,” said the friend.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer shortly after treating an enlarged prostate. (Getty Images)
Harry’s friend mentioned that there has been “total silence” from the king.
Sources revealed that Harry’s brother, Prince William, is standing by their father, making any prospect of reconciliation “remote.” Several insiders indicated that Harry’s memoir “Spare” and his public interviews have “eroded trust within the family.”
Friends of Harry contend that had he maintained proper security — which he lost when he stepped back from royal duties in 2020 — he wouldn’t have to resort to public discourse to fund it.
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A friend of Prince Harry stated to People magazine there has been “total silence” from the king. (Matt Dunham – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
He stated that the resolution of security matters would lead to “swords down.”
A representative from Buckingham Palace did not quickly respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comments.
Andersen mentioned that Harry’s revealing memoir, released in 2023, was a considerable blow to his father.
“I believe Charles could excuse Harry for some of the troubles he created — including stepping away from the monarchy … criticizing his brother William for bullying behavior and seeking royal protection during visits to the U.K. However, Charles struggles to forgive Harry for what he perceives as unnecessary jabs at his cherished Queen Camilla.”
Prince Harry’s revealing memoir “Spare” was published in January 2023. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Andersen stated this matter continues to be a persistent source of discomfort for the king.
In promotional interviews for “Spare,” Harry accused his stepmother of leaking private conversations to enhance her standing in the media. Furthermore, he accused royal family members of colluding with tabloids for favorable coverage, particularly spotlighting Camilla’s efforts to reclaim her image after her long-standing affair with his father.
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“Her actions made her perilous, as she was fostering connections with the British press,” he remarked to CBS. “There was a willingness on both ends to exchange information. With a family founded on hierarchy, and her path to becoming queen consort, there would undoubtedly be individuals left hurt along the way.”
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In “Spare,” Prince Harry recounted that both he and his brother Prince William implored their father not to wed Camilla. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The accusations regarding Camilla are particularly delicate due to her involvement in the contentious dissolution of Charles’ marriage to the late Princess Diana, the mother of William and Harry.
Diana once referred to Camilla, who had an extended affair with Charles, as the third party in their marriage. Although public sentiment initially vilified Camilla, she has garnered support through various charitable endeavors and has been recognized for helping Charles appear more relatable and approachable to modern Britain.
“Harry is clearly distressed about his father’s struggle with cancer, and there’s no doubt he wishes he could check on the king more often,” Andersen said. “However, due to Camilla and others within Charles’ inner circle, the king has been led to believe that reconnecting with the ‘Harry and Meghan situation’ is not beneficial for him. They want him to focus on recuperating.”
Queen Camilla has remained by the king’s side during his ongoing cancer treatment. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and photographer, speculated whether royal aides are stepping in to help ensure that the king remains free from stress during his cancer treatment.
“King Charles does not use a mobile phone,” asserted Chard. “Perhaps his staff have been managing Prince Harry’s calls as he causes unnecessary anxiety and turmoil in the royal family’s life.”
“Without significant royal family insights, Harry will lack engaging content for interviews,” she added. “Hence, it makes sense that the king and his family might prefer to cut off communication… Harry needs to approach matters with some common sense and heed the advice of those who genuinely have his and his family’s best interests at heart.”
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Meghan Markle, an American actress, became the Duchess of Sussex after her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. (Aaron Chown/Getty Images)
Harry has experienced a strained relationship with his family and has seen his father infrequently since he and his wife stepped back from royal duties in 2020. At that time, the couple cited overwhelming intrusions and racist sentiments from the British media as reasons for their departure from senior royal roles. Since then, the father of two has discussed his troubled family relationships in various TV interviews, a documentary, and his memoir.
Harry’s legal dispute regarding his security dates back over four years. He expressed concerns for his and his family’s safety when returning to his native country due to hostility directed toward him and his wife. Harry referenced the relentless scrutiny faced by the couple from the British press.
A government attorney remarked that Harry has received fair treatment and continued to have protection during certain visits, referencing a security detail that was assigned to him in June 2021, following an incident where he was chased by paparazzi after attending an event for critically ill children in West London.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex lost their security after stepping back from their royal responsibilities in 2020. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
In February, High Court Judge Peter Lane concluded that the committee’s decision to offer “tailored” security on an as-needed basis was neither unlawful nor unreasonable.
This decision came from the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, a group consisting of royal family staff, the Metropolitan Police, and various governmental bodies.
A friend of Harry told People magazine that nothing would bring him “greater joy than reestablishing his relationship with his father.”
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Prince Harry’s security dispute is ongoing. (Getty Images)
“Ultimately, you cannot change kinship,” the friend shared with the outlet. “He is not requesting his father for a more lavish residence or finer automobiles. He’s asking out of genuine concern for their circumstances. He is under threat.”
“It is possible that one day reconciliation with his father will occur,” royal expert Hilary Fordwich shared with Fox News Digital.
“No father wishes to lose a son,” she added. “The king is quite disheartened, but he does not harbor resentment. He is preoccupied with more pressing issues.”
King Charles III is reported to be “saddened” by his strained relationship with Prince Harry. (Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)
“He hasn’t had a fallout with Harry; he is just primarily disappointed,” Fordwich stated. “The king is not pleased with how things have unfolded with Harry.”
However, it’s unlikely peace talks between the father and son will materialize in the near future. People magazine also mentioned that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not included in this year’s family gathering at Balmoral Castle.
The king is continuing the tradition started by Queen Elizabeth of visiting the estate during late summer, expecting the attendance of other royal family members.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen attending a church service with the royal family around 2017. It is understood they were not invited to Balmoral Castle this year. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not returned to the U.K. with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, since the late queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. They have since built a new life in California.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
