Prince Harry has a plan to win back the trust of his father King Charles when he returns to the UK full time, it is understood. The Duke of Sussex will put an end to long-form television interviews in an effort to rebuild relationships with the King and other senior royals, the Telegraph understands.
Since leaving the UK in 2020, the Duke has publicly aired his grievances against the royal family in a drastic contrast to the institution he was raised in, which largely adheres to the mantra, 'never complain, never explain'. Harry accused his brother of physically attacking him in his explosive memoir Spare, and accused the royal family of making comments about the colour of his unborn son's skin, in an Oprah interview. The palace said the claims about Archie were fiction.
New low-profile approach
In a drastic turn of events, Prince Harry is expected to change his tactics completely when he returns to the UK after six years living in California, so he can build on fractured relationships. In keeping with the low-profile plan, Harry and Meghan will also reportedly not release portraits of their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, on their birthdays, or on their first day of school in September.
The King is understood to be pleased that his youngest son is coming home, and looks forward to spending more time with him and his family. While the father and son are believed to have met in private over recent months, their relationship has been strained over the years following the damaging claims against the royal family.
Estranged relationship with William
Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship is understood to be estranged. They were last seen together publicly at their father's coronation in May 2023. The Prince and Princess of Wales have not commented on the move. It was made clear that the Duke and Duchess will remain as private individuals and non-working royals when they do return.
However, the move may trigger a review into the family's state-funded security. Harry was stripped of high-level security protections when he left the UK and quit royal duties in 2020 with his wife, Meghan. It is now decided on a case-by-case basis and Harry has largely been denied protection on previous visits - something the Prince has been in a longstanding battle with the Home Office about.
Security a 'private matter'
Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, said on Thursday that the Duke and Duchess's security was a 'private matter', despite the potential cost for taxpayers if their security were reinstated. Mr Burnham said: 'This is a private matter. It's a matter for Harry and for Meghan. And we wish them well in the move that they're making.'
