Following Prince Harry’s ‘distressed’ and ‘broken’ appearance in a bombshell BBC interview, a new documentary delves into whether he can ever be forgiven and if he’d be prepared to take the necessary steps

Prince Harry could be forgiven and win back public affection(Image: Getty Images)

A new Channel 5 documentary examines whether Prince Harry will ever be forgiven by the Royal family, while revealing exactly what he needs to do to win back the hearts of a nation – but are these things he’d even consider?

Once upon a time, Prince Harry was one of the most popular members of the Royal family, but fast forward to today, and it’s a whole different story. But could the fairytale have a happy ending? Mirror journalist Kevin Maguire certainly thinks so..

In an interview with Channel 5 documentary makers for tonight’s Harry: Can He Ever Be Forgiven?, the Mirror’s Associate Editor says he needs to do four things.

“As a journalist, it would potentially be a fantastic good news story if Harry came back and reconciled with his brother, reconciled with his father, retook up public duties and recovered the popularity he had and then lost. That would be a great tale of redemption, it would be absolutely fantastic,” he says.

And he’s not the only reporter to believe Harry could come back and win back the nation’s hearts. Broadcaster Emily Andrews reflected: “I’d like to see Harry back. If I’m being honest

“I think it would be good for him, it would be good for the UK. If he came back and did some really good public service, I think we’d all be reminded what a great bloke he is and how much we do really like him.”

Prince William and Prince Harry used to be close(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)

Some people think that in order for Harry to be forgiven by his family and win back public affection, he would need to make up with the press. But with so much bad blood on either side, a truce with the press seems a long way off.

Politician and journalist Ann Widdecombe says he’d have to do one thing to mend his relationship with the media.

“I think the only way Harry and the press would have a warm relationship again is if he actually finds something useful to do. If he finds a direction to his life that commands respect, that could cause the press and Harry to reconcile.”

And Royal commentator and the Countess of Sandwich, Julie Montagu, says the rift can be healed if Harry wants to reconcile.

“The public wants to forgive, but it needs to start with Harry,” she explains. “Number one, stop any time of interview where you’re mentioning any member of your family – end of story.

“And then number two, if you really want to make that reconciliation, whether that’s private or public, start that. Once that reconciliation begins, then the public can be made aware of that.”

Meanwhile, Psychotherapist and author Emma Reed Turrell said Harry has lost his identity. “I think Harry is up against a universal challenge, which is one of identity. Who am I? Who was I? Who am I becoming? Who am I allowed to be? What will be acceptable?

“We can all relate to that – when people leave any kind of institution, there is a huge transition that happens for someone as they re-enter the atmosphere and look for purpose again and look for identity.”