Prince Harry’s Growing Isolation from the Royal Family, Says Royal Author

Prince Harry is facing increasing isolation from the royal family as King Charles and Prince William have chosen to “ignore” and “freeze out” the Duke of Sussex during a critical time for the monarchy, according to royal author Christopher Andersen, reported by Mirror.

The relationship between Harry and his royal relatives has deteriorated significantly in recent years, following his and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from the royal family in 2020. Subsequent controversial comments and revelations in interviews and Harry’s 2023 autobiography, “Spare,” have only exacerbated the situation.

Speaking to Fox News, Andersen, author of “The King: The Life of Charles III,” remarked, “[Charles and William] have chosen to ignore Harry, to freeze him out, and to not let him get under their skin when they are facing so many critical challenges. In a way, I think that is even sadder. It’s been said that hate isn’t the opposite of love—indifference is”, . These comments come amidst the challenges faced by the royal family, including King Charles and Princess Kate’s ongoing battles with cancer.

Andersen also mentioned that Charles and William are “not surprised” by Harry’s recent trip to Nigeria with Meghan, which has been likened to a royal tour. However, he suggested that the reasons behind the royal family‘s decision to “cross Harry off their list” go beyond the couple’s brief trip with a small entourage of one reporter and one photographer.

The strained relationship was further highlighted during Harry’s recent visit to the UK to celebrate a decade of the Invictus Games. Despite being in the same city, Harry and Charles did not meet face-to-face, with the King’s “full programme” of engagements cited as the reason. The last time father and son spoke was when Harry visited Charles following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Similarly, Prince William and Princess Kate did not meet with Harry during his stay. Insiders told The Daily Beast, “Both sides understand each other’s position clearly now. William and Catherine felt completely betrayed by Harry’s memoir. They don’t speak to Harry and Meghan, and they are certainly not about to start when Catherine is at her most vulnerable.” Another source added, “William and Kate have accepted it and moved on. Cancer puts things in perspective. William respects his father’s wish to reconcile with his son, but his focus now is on protecting his family from stressful situations”, via OK!.

The Sussexes’ recent trip to Nigeria has also drawn criticism from some royal experts. Michael Cole, via Daily Mail, claimed the couple “exploited their royal status to the very limit and in every way, trying to give the impression that it was the real thing.” While the visit was not an official royal tour, Cole suggested the couple’s actions conveyed a sense of officiality.

In response to these criticisms, Andersen noted that Harry and Meghan have “significantly scaled back their entourage” and are “taking pains not to appear as if they are overstepping their bounds.” He expressed hope that the royal family‘s current stance would not last forever and that either William or Charles would eventually be “courageous and far-sighted enough to take the olive branch Harry repeatedly extends to them.”

Andersen further suggested that reconciling with Harry and offering his family a “legitimate part-time royal role” could be beneficial for the monarchy, providing a “huge shot in the arm” as they navigate multiple health issues among senior royals and require additional support.