Charles Reportedly ‘Shocked & Saddened’ by Harry’s ‘Tantrum’ After Their Reunion—It’s ‘Damaging’ to Their Relationship
Things between King Charles and Prince Harry are undoubtedly better than they were just a few months ago. That much is clear. But that doesn’t mean they’re fixed or that the last few weeks haven’t felt like the two have taken one step forward and two steps back with this new attempt at reconciliation. Because after what was described as a very positive meeting between father and son, there have been reports that seem to put in doubt whether it will all lead to lasting reconciliation.
RadarOnline.com is reporting that the King is “dismayed, shocked and saddened” by Prince Harry’s comments against palace staff, who, according to the prince, leaked information about what happened in the meeting between him and King Charles. The outlet reports courtiers have characterized the behavior as a “tantrum.”
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One insider said, “The King has taken Harry’s latest tantrum very much to heart. Charles was glad to spend time with his son and thought their meeting could mark some progress.” They continued, “Hearing accusations that aides were undermining things has left him upset. He feels it’s unjust and harmful when people around him are genuinely working to support reconciliation.”
Another source said, “Harry’s response came across as petulant. He claimed insiders were intentionally leaking information, but in reality aides have gone out of their way to help rebuild his bond with the King. Charles has been taken aback by the charge and views it as damaging rather than constructive.”
Father and son were reunited a few weeks ago for the first time since February 2024 and spent about 50 minutes together at Clarence House in a meeting that was characterized as positive. Prince Harry even told guests at the WellChild reception later that day that his father was “great.”
Then, on Saturday, September 27, details of the Duke of Sussex’s meeting with his father were published by The Sun. The outlet described the meeting as “awkward” and also described the gifts exchanged, including a framed photograph of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince Harry took issue to this disclosure, with a spokesperson saying, “The quotes attributed to [the Duke] are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son.” Presumably, if King Charles is taking issues with this statement, this means he must believe the leaks came from somewhere not in the palace.
As for the gifts, the spokesperson confirmed their existence. “While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity, we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over. However, the image did not contain the duke and duchess.”
It’s hard to tell what happens now. The door has been opened, that much is true. But whether this will end up being a good thing or a bad thing for King Charles and Prince Harry, or for Prince Harry’s chances of reconciling with more of his family remains to be seen. This family does, after all, know that all they do is very much scrutinized. That part cannot be avoided. How they react, however, is on them.
