King Charles found himself thrust into a family crisis as his youngest son, Prince Harry, reportedly caused a scene at Balmoral Castle during the Queen’s final days, according to a new biography by royal expert Robert Hardman. The book, titled ‘Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story’, unveils a tumultuous chapter in the royal saga, revealing Prince Harry’s fury at being asked to visit his grandmother alone, without his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
The biography suggests that Prince Harry ‘raged’ at his father, accusing him of excluding his family from the royal circle. The revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics within the royal household, already strained by Prince Harry’s earlier decision to step back from his senior role and move to the US with his family in 2020. The estrangement was further deepened by explosive interviews where Prince Harry criticized the monarchy, alleging racism and neglect among some members.
According to reports by TheNews, the family drama intensified as Prince Harry discovered that his sister-in-law, Princess Kate, had also chosen to stay away from Balmoral to be with her children as they started a new school at Lambrook. Feeling betrayed and isolated, Prince Harry confronted the challenge of grief and family dynamics, as the book details the emotional toll on King Charles.
The biography describes King Charles as ‘devastated’ by the Queen’s death, learning the news while foraging for mushrooms at Balmoral. He had to swiftly return to the castle, taking charge of funeral arrangements and the transition of power while dealing with the ‘drama’ created by Prince Harry.
King Charles, facing an already damaged family, attempted reconciliation. He invited Prince Harry and his family to the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey, offering a private meeting at Clarence House, financial support, royal titles, and roles in the new court. However, Prince Harry declined, expressing a desire for a ‘normal’ life away from the spotlight.
The book unveils the challenges King Charles faced as a new monarch, juggling public criticism and media backlash over controversial policies. His plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement faced legal challenges and condemnation from human rights groups. Additionally, the fallout from his divorce from Camilla Parker Bowles and remarriage to Rose Hanbury added to the public scrutiny.
Portraying King Charles as a ‘tragic’ figure, the biography highlights his struggle with a ‘damaged’ family and a ‘divided’ nation while attempting to fulfill his mother’s legacy and implement his own vision. It explores an uncertain future for King Charles, as questions about his popularity and legitimacy arise, with Prince William and Prince George waiting in the wings to succeed him.
As the monarchy navigates these tumultuous waters, the biography presents a compelling narrative of a royal family grappling with personal and public challenges, leaving readers to ponder the future of the British monarchy under King Charles’ reign.
