Prince Harry’s persistent concerns over the safety of his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have intensified the existing rift with his father, King Charles III. Sources close to the Duke of Sussex reveal that his desperation to secure protection for his family has further estranged him from the royal circle.
In May, Prince Harry, 39, returned to the U.K. to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a project he holds dear. Notably absent from the event was his father, King Charles, 75, who cited a “full schedule” as the reason for his non-appearance. However, insiders suggest that the issue runs deeper than mere scheduling conflicts.
The Security Battle: A Lingering Tension
According to multiple well-placed insiders within Prince Harry’s circle, the central sticking point remains his ongoing battle for security, a matter he has been contesting in court for over four years. Harry firmly believes that his father possesses the authority to restore the level of protection he seeks. However, a palace source informed PEOPLE that the belief that Harry’s security is under King Charles’s control is “wholly incorrect.”
The public split between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their royal duties in 2020 unveiled a family rift marked by intense disputes and unresolved tensions. While various issues have been at play, none appear to weigh more heavily on Prince Harry than the security of his family.
Despite what appeared to be a reconciliatory meeting between Harry and King Charles in February, following the King’s cancer diagnosis, communication between the two has since deteriorated. Those close to Prince Harry claim that the monarch no longer takes his son’s calls or responds to his letters. “He gets ‘unavailable right now,’” shared a friend of Harry’s. “His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King’s health, but those calls go unanswered too.”
Fear for Family Safety: A Driving Force
Amid this estrangement, Prince Harry is reportedly consumed with fear for the safety of Meghan and their children. He is said to have repeatedly appealed to his father for assistance. “Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father,” a royal insider told PEOPLE. Another source familiar with the situation added, “Harry is determined to protect his own family at all costs.”
The struggle for security has reached a boiling point. In the ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial, which aired in the U.K. on July 25, Prince Harry expressed his anxiety that negative media coverage could incite violence against Meghan. “All it takes is one lone actor,” he said, citing these “genuine concerns” as a reason for not bringing Meghan, 42, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, back to the U.K.
Prince Harry has also pursued legal avenues, though earlier this year, he lost his bid to reinstate his taxpayer-funded security. He plans to appeal this decision, but the path forward remains unclear. The Duke of Sussex’s offer to pay for police protection out of his own pocket was also dismissed by the court, leaving him frustrated and increasingly isolated.
Constitutional Complexities and Royal Concerns
Constitutionally, the monarch does not wield governmental power in the U.K., and the authority to grant police protection lies with the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), which acts on behalf of the U.K. government. Nonetheless, Prince Harry believes that as King, Charles could intervene to ensure that his family receives the necessary protection.
The unresolved issue has erected an impenetrable wall between Harry and Charles, with the conversation having shifted from frustration to “complete silence” from the King, according to a close friend of Harry’s. The once-vibrant relationship has become a shadow of its former self, marred by a lack of communication and understanding.
Sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, now residing in Montecito, California, reveal that the palace is acutely aware of the parallels with Princess Diana’s experience. Following her divorce from the royal institution, Diana became a global icon, often overshadowing the monarchy itself. “Charles’ fear is a repeat of the past,” an insider shared. “When his wife divorced the institution, she took the headlines, overshadowed his work, and became a global superstar. Seeing his son leave with his wife was not part of the plan.”
Safety and the Decision to Step Back
The desire for safety was a primary motivator behind Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties. The Duchess of Sussex has previously spoken about the negative media coverage and lack of support during her time as a working royal, which contributed to her considering suicide. The couple “didn’t feel they had a choice,” explained a close friend. “The only option was to leave — for their sanity. I do think they thought if they got out of this bubble, there would be less focus on them.”
Despite the distance, the struggle for protection continues to be a defining aspect of Prince Harry’s life. As he navigates this complex situation, the chasm between him and his father appears to widen, leaving many to wonder if reconciliation is possible in the future.
In the meantime, Prince Harry remains steadfast in his determination to protect his family, even if it means standing apart from the royal institution that has shaped his entire life. The battle for security and the quest for peace continue to define the Duke of Sussex’s journey, highlighting a story of family, duty, and an unyielding desire to ensure the safety of those he loves most.
