Prince Harry’s relationship with the British Royal Family has been strained since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020. A former friend of Harry’s believes the prince can no longer rely on the support of his family like he once did.
According to Edward Charles Featherstone, who was friends with Harry during their polo playing days, not having close family ties can lead to increased independence. Featherstone suggests that without the “bosom of [his] family to kind of lean back on,” Harry has likely found it “very difficult.”
There does seem to be some attempt by Harry to rebuild bridges. He rushed back to London last week after news broke that his father, King Charles III, had been diagnosed with cancer. Harry and Charles had a private half-hour conversation, their first in over 15 months. While Harry returned to the United States after only 25 hours in Britain, he is expected to come back in the next few weeks.
As reported by Mirror, Harry and Meghan sent shockwaves through the monarchy when they announced plans to step back from royal life. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, they said a lack of support from the institution played a role in their decision.
Last month, Harry and Meghan released a Netflix documentary series titled “Harry & Meghan.” In it, Harry spoke candidly about his crumbling relationship with his brother William. He also took aim at Charles, suggesting his father had cut him off financially and refused to take his phone calls.
The fallout led Harry and Meghan to relocate to California. They now live a life free of royal duties, pursuing their own business ventures and charitable work.
While the Sussexes seem determined to forge an independent path, their public criticism of the royals has likely made reconciliation difficult. Still, Harry’s hastily-arranged trip back to the U.K. hints he may be trying to heal divisions.
With Charles now King, he may wish to bring his son back into the royal fold. Having Harry overseas and estranged from his family threatens stability and presents an ongoing PR headache.
For now though, Harry remains in self-imposed exile in America. According to Featherstone, the lack of family support means Harry cannot rely on their guidance as he navigates his new non-royal life.
Whether the royal rift can be healed remains to be seen. But Harry’s lifelong connection to his family suggests he may seek to repair bonds, even if he never returns to royal duties full-time. His recent visit indicates he still feels the pull of family, even if that family is no longer one he can fully “lean on.”
