A new book by Prince Edward's former girlfriend has contradicted Prince Harry's claim that his father was not affectionate. Ruthie Henshall, who dated Prince Edward for five years before he met Duchess Sophie, has shared memories of King Charles playing with his sons in her book The Showgirl And The Prince.
Balmoral Memories Contradict Spare
Writing in her book, Ruthie recalled: "I watched Charles playing rough and tumble with William and Harry (then aged ten and eight) in the Balmoral corridors. He clearly loved those boys, and they were squealing with joy as Daddy chased them."
This account differs from the picture Harry painted in his 2023 memoir Spare, where he suggested his father was cold and distant, writing that he "didn't hug" Harry.
Harry's Claims About Parenthood
In his memoir, Harry also wrote that his father seemed unsuited to single parenthood after the death of Princess Diana. He wrote: "Not that Pa hadn't always been a bit checked out. He'd always given an air of being not quite ready for parenthood - the responsibilities, the patience, the time. Even he, though a proud man, would've admitted as much. But single parenthood? Pa was never made for that."
King Charles has never publicly responded to Harry's claims in Spare. The relationship between father and son has reportedly been strained in recent years but is said to be slowly improving.
Recent Reunion
Last month, Harry took his wife and children to see King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove, though no details of the reunion have been shared.
