The Duke of Sussex has asked to reconcile with his father

It’s no secret King Charles has a strained relationship with his second-born son the Duke of Sussex, but what has the monarch said on the topic since Prince Harry moved across the pond?

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle left The Firm as working royals at the beginning of 2020. They settled in their new life in Montecito, California, with their son Prince Archie, and later welcomed daughter Princess Lilibet the following year.

However, a string of bombshell interviews and a tell-all memoir has soured King Charles and Prince Harry’s relationship even further – we take a look at what the monarch has said about his son and on their comments about the royal family.

The monarch said he loved his son and daughter-in-law during his first speech as King (Credit: Rocco Spaziani/DPA/Cover Images)

King Charles on Prince Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview

Charles, when he was the Prince of Wales, was asked by a reporter about the Sussex’s interview with Oprah when he visited a vaccine clinic.

It came just a couple of days after the interview aired on CBS.

When he was asked about the bombshell chat, he reportedly chose to remain silent on the matter.

“He chuckled and carried on walking,” Richard Palmer, reporter for The Daily Express claimed.

While Charles did not release a statement himself following the allegations, Buckingham Palace did on the late Queen’s behalf.

The statement read at the time: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved family members.”

Prince Harry asked his father King Charles to reconcile on camera (Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images)

Plea to William and Harry

In the Duke’s memoir Spare, he recalled a conversation he claimed involved between himself, his father and brother Prince William after Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral took place at Windsor Castle, and the three royals met following the ceremony.

Harry claims their father ‘stood’ in between them, as an argument broke out.

“Please boys,” Harry says his father pleaded. “Don’t make my final years a misery.”

Charles on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during first speech as king

The monarch made his first speech as king three days after his mother died in September 2022.

King Charles used this moment to reflect on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, while touching on many topics surrounding the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

During the speech, he revealed heir Prince William, and his wife Kate Middleton, would be taking over Charles’ role as the Prince of Wales.

But he also took a moment to make a heartfelt statement over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

He said: “I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”

King Charles has not publicly responded to Harry’s allegations over recent years (Credit: Cover Images)

Sussexes left out of Christmas Day speech

However, a mere few months later, King Charles did not make a reference to Prince Harry or Meghan on his first Christmas broadcast the same year.

He used the opportunity, much like his late mother, to speak on topics that affected the nation. He sympathised with families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and praised those who are supporting individuals in need.

But Charles did mention William and Kate visiting Wales on his first broadcast as king, but appeared to miss out Prince Harry and Meghan.

The royal said during his speech: “Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self. The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.”

He also used it as an opportunity to thank the public for their love and sympathy after the death of his mother.

The Duke said he didn’t know how long his father has ‘left’ in a BBC interview (Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images)

‘Immense pride’

Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir was published in January 2023, but it seems King Charles made a goodwill gesture over their relationship just a few months later when he spoke on the pride he felt for his children.

While speaking to graduating cadets of a military school in April 2023, Charles reflected on his own sons that went through the same process.

It was during a royal appearance where he inspected the 200th Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade, when he became sentimental.

“Speaking as a father of two alumni of this academy, I know they will be full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade,” Charles said.

“Having attended — and survived — two of the other military academies 50 years ago, I think I have some idea of the challenges which are inherent in military training.

“I have experienced the nerves, the exhaustion — even the self-doubt. But despite such recollections, it is the lifelong friendships which are forged through shared hardship, and the humour you find in the darkest hours of the coldest, wettest nights, which remain with you.”

King Charles is reportedly not speaking to his son Harry (Credit: ZUMA Press/Cover Images)

King Charles avoids mentioning Prince Harry on special visit

Then in February 2025, Charles hailed one of the Duke’s former colleagues at the Invictus Games but did not mention his son.

During a visit to the Imperial College London’s Centre for Injury Studies, he met former army captain David Henson. Their conversation turned to the Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014. Henson was even invited to Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018.

“Are you still taking part in games and sports?” King Charles asked.

“So I’m a touch too old, I think,” Mr Henson joked.

“I did the Invictus Games in 2014 and 2016, Paralympics in 2016 and I stayed one of the trustees of the Invictus Games until the end of 2023 – so I’ve certainly been involved with it. I’m back in the defence industry now.”

“Fantastic,” Charles responded.

King’s blunt response after Harry’s ‘concern’ over how long he has left to live

After the dad-of-two was dealt a blow in his recent legal battle to get his taxpayer-funded security reinstated in the UK, he gave a rare interview with the BBC.

In the interview, Harry admitted he wanted to reconcile with his family, and said he didn’t know how long his father had “left”. It comes after the monarch was diagnosed with a type of cancer in 2024, and is still undergoing treatment for it.

Days later, while King Charles was attending the premiere of Sir David Attenborough’s film, Ocean with David Attenborough at the Royal Festival Hall, Charles responded to a question shouted out to him.

One person asked him: “How are you, Sir?”

Charles replied simply: “I’m great.”

Commentators said this would have been the 76-year-old responding to the comments Harry made about him in the interview.