The United Kingdom recently observed the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a series of public events attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other senior members of the Royal Family. Prince Harry was notably absent, highlighting ongoing tensions within the royal family.
During the commemorations, the Royal Family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast of approximately 23 aircraft, including the Red Arrows. The event featured emotional moments, especially after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who had been the last royal witness to VE Day with Winston Churchill. King Charles, visibly moved, led the commemorations with Princess Kate, Prince William, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—engaging with the crowd.
Some have seen Prince Harry’s absence as a reflection of King Charles’ challenges in reconciling with his son. Despite being among the few royals with active military service, Harry did not participate in the VE Day celebrations. Commentators view his absence as indicative of King Charles’ difficulties uniting the family.
The relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family remains strained. Reports indicate that Prince William has severed ties with Harry, choosing not to discuss him or respond to his recent BBC interview, where Harry expressed disappointment over losing his legal battle for UK security and his strained relationship with King Charles. Despite Harry’s desire for reconciliation, William is reportedly “done” with him.
Trust issues are central to the royal family’s estrangement from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Sources claim ongoing resentment within the family, intensified by Harry’s past actions, including interviews and his memoir, “Spare.” A particular point of contention was Harry’s BBC interview, where he speculated about King Charles’s health, prompting criticism for comments about his father amidst the king’s public battle with cancer. Harry mentioned being uncertain “how much time” his 76-year-old father, King Charles, may have left.
Hugo Vickers, an author and acquaintance of the royal family, expressed understanding of their situation. He noted that Harry shares traits with his late mother, Princess Diana. Recalling a visit to Buckingham Palace, he mentioned a letter from Prince Philip to Diana, stating, “Whenever Charles speaks to you, it ends up in the Daily Mail the very next day.”
Vickers stated that the current situation reflects past events, emphasizing that Charles is justified in his lack of trust. According to Vickers, Harry should not have agreed to the interview. He further commented that royal family members should avoid interviews, which can lead to adverse outcomes.
In the same week as the VE Day events, Prince Harry was seen in Los Angeles, California, attending a Beyoncé concert with Meghan Markle. Meanwhile, Meghan shared photos of their children, Archie and Lilibet, on social media, highlighting the physical and emotional distance from their royal cousins.
The royal family’s public display of unity during the VE Day commemorations, contrasted with Prince Harry’s absence, underscores the ongoing challenges within the monarchy. The path to reconciliation remains uncertain as the Royal Family navigates these internal dynamics.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the situation regarding Prince Harry.
