Royal family
King Charles and Prince Harry have had a rocky relationship for years. However, Charles does not want the problems to impact his relationship with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
King Charles’ relationship with his younger son, Prince Harry, remains in question. Harry and Charles were hardly on speaking terms by the time Harry left the royal family, and it seems they have gotten a bit closer, but they are still not in a place where Harry feels comfortable enough staying with the royal family during his UK visits.
But those close to Charles say that the difficult relationship will not overshadow Charles’ desire to be close with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The prince “values family” and is determined to connect with them, insider says.
King Charles wants to be close with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
Charles was able to spend a bit of time with Archie, Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, when he was born. Archie lived in the UK for about nine months before Harry and Meghan relocated to the United States, and Charles reportedly has not seen his grandson since Harry and Meghan visited the UK in 2022. He has only met Princess Lilibet once or twice, but his relationship with Harry won’t stop him from being close with the grandkids, one source claims.
“The King is absolutely committed to being present in all of his grandchildren’s lives,” a source close to the king told Mirror. “He values family above everything, and whatever the course of his relationship with his son, he would never be content with just seeing his grandchildren on the odd video call.”
Although it sounds like Charles wants to be close with his grandkids, it also doesn’t seem like he’s doing everything he can to make it happen. Charles did not support Harry when Harry visited the UK in May for a ceremony centered around the Invictus Games; he put his schedule ahead of his son.
Prince Harry and King Charles still have plenty to work through
When Charles revealed his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, Harry rushed to the UK to speak to his father. The two didn’t talk for long, but in a later interview, Harry did say, “I love my family.” It seems that Harry and Charles do have love for each other but just can’t see eye to eye on the true reason they’re not on great terms.
It appears that Harry and his father will always have a relationship that suffices but doesn’t thrive. It’s possible that the grandkids could be the ones who change all of that, but it’s been four years since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles, and it doesn’t seem like any more has been accomplished.
