Prince Harry has expressed his desire for a reconciliation with the royal family in an emotional interview following a recent legal setback in the United Kingdom.
Speaking to BBC News, the Duke of Sussex revealed that his father, King Charles III, has refused to speak with him due to disagreements surrounding his security, adding that he no longer wishes to continue fighting with his family.
In the interview, which was conducted in California, Harry shared, “I don’t know how much longer my father has,” reflecting on his father’s health struggles, including a recent battle with cancer. He acknowledged that the disease had revealed “the very best of humanity” within his family. However, despite his personal difficulties, Harry stated, “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point.”
Harry also touched upon the tensions within his family, saying, “there have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,” but emphasized that he has now “forgiven” his relatives. This interview came after a loss in his legal challenge on May 2, which aimed to overturn the UK government’s decision to alter his security arrangements.
The ruling directly impacts Harry’s future visits to the UK, as he had sought to reverse a decision made by the Home Office, which manages police protection.
In 2020, Harry lost his entitlement to publicly-funded security protection after stepping away from his royal duties alongside his wife, Duchess Meghan.
Harry had hoped to reinstate the security, but his legal challenge was unsuccessful.
In a poignant reference to his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a tragic car accident in 1997, Harry expressed, “I don’t want history to repeat itself.”
His statement following the court ruling on May 2 stressed that the legal fight was about ensuring his family’s safety when visiting the UK.
He criticized the Home Office’s refusal to grant him the same security provisions afforded to others in high-risk situations.
Harry pointed out that RAVEC, the body responsible for royal protection, had failed to follow its own risk assessment processes.
He contended that this failure had put him and his family in danger and that his security should never have been revoked. He also offered to cover the costs of his protection privately, in an effort to resolve the issue.
Buckingham Palace responded by stating that the matter had been thoroughly examined by the courts, with the same conclusion reached each time.
The Home Office also welcomed the ruling, asserting that the UK’s security system is both “rigorous and proportionate.”
Judge Geoffrey Vos, who oversaw the case, acknowledged Harry’s sense of grievance but ruled that it did not provide a legal basis to challenge the decision.
Harry’s lawyer had warned the court that the changes to his security were a matter of life and death.
In an emotional appeal, the lawyer reminded the court of the human stakes involved. Despite the setbacks, Harry and Meghan have found a path forward in their post-royal life.
The couple has ventured into entertainment, with Harry set to produce a Netflix show about the world of professional polo, and Meghan launching her lifestyle brand and a podcast.
Both Harry and Meghan also appeared in their docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” where they shared their side of the story regarding their exit from royal life.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Harry and Meghan are forging new careers, focusing on their family and future projects.
