Prince Harry's latest interview with GQ magazine has dealt a significant blow to hopes of reconciliation with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, according to royal reporter Jasmine Carey.
The Duke of Sussex's comments came as the King and other senior royals hosted the Sultan of Oman for a high-profile state visit.
Interview Overshadows Reconciliation Efforts
Earlier this year, Harry appeared to be making genuine efforts to repair relationships, including taking his children to see their grandfather and moving back to the UK, reportedly to be closer to his father. Carey notes that reconciliation seemed to be at the top of his agenda and was "more than possible" until the interview's release.
In the GQ interview, Harry spoke about family "drama" and his desire to reconcile, going as far as to say that while he wants it to work, not everyone does. His team insisted these comments were made in a general context and not about his royal relatives.
Trust Questioned
Carey argues that Harry's repeated use of "I" and "we" makes it hard to believe the comments weren't from a personal perspective, suggesting the duke "just hasn't learned his lesson." She points out that his previous criticisms resulted in ignored calls and emotional distance from his family.
According to Carey, Harry's actions have likely proved one thing to King Charles: that Harry "simply cannot be trusted." If he continues to speak publicly about the family and their relationship, the King and William will not want to engage with him.
Private Matters Should Remain Private
Carey writes that in the eyes of the royal family, and many others, family issues should remain private, and airing them publicly leads to problems. While she does not know King Charles's reaction to the interview, she believes he will not be impressed.
Despite the setback, Carey acknowledges that the rocky relationships with his father and brother did not dominate the whole interview, and a number of important topics were raised. She concludes that Harry should focus on the future and learn from these interviews to achieve the reconciliation he has been hoping for.
