Prince Harry’s relationship with his father, King Charles III, has hit a new low amid an escalating dispute over Harry’s security in the U.K. According to sources close to the king, Harry is allegedly employing “emotional blackmail” by suggesting that Charles may never see his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, again unless the king intervenes to secure automatic protection for Harry and his family when they are in the U.K.
A source close to Harry, however, refuted this claim, emphasizing the real and significant threats from “neo-Nazi and extremist” groups. The source explained that one of Harry’s primary motivations for seeking police protection in the U.K. is to allow his children to become familiar with his home country. Harry has even offered to bear the cost of this security himself to avoid burdening the British taxpayer.
This confrontation marks another chapter in Harry’s ongoing legal battle with the U.K. government over his security arrangements. After stepping down as a working royal, Harry lost the right to automatic police protection, a decision made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC). His offer to personally fund this protection was also declined, as British armed police are not available for private hire.
Harry has faced multiple legal setbacks in his quest to reinstate these privileges and is now preparing for a final appeal. It is estimated that he has already spent over a million dollars on the case.
The issue resurfaced recently when Harry, in a television interview, expressed concerns about his wife Meghan Markle’s safety in the U.K., fearing potential acid or knife attacks spurred by negative tabloid coverage. Although he did not mention his children directly, Harry has previously highlighted the threats they face, particularly racist abuse aimed at his family.
One of King Charles’ friends told The Daily Beast that Harry is attempting to coerce the king into overruling RAVEC by implying that Charles may never meet his grandchildren. The source dismissed Harry’s concerns about potential attacks as absurd, suggesting that such fears are being used as leverage. The friend noted that Charles, who is undergoing treatment for a serious illness, cannot easily travel to Los Angeles to see his grandchildren.
The source, a long-time family friend, questioned how Archie and Lilibet might feel in the future about being denied a relationship with their grandfather, King Charles. They pointed out the significant heritage and importance of such a connection, stressing that Charles would prioritize his duty to the Crown over personal matters, as his mother did.
Another source, familiar with both William and Harry, stated that Harry had previously hinted that Charles would never see his grandchildren if he was forced out of Frogmore Cottage, and is now making that threat public. When it was noted that Harry did not mention his children in the recent interview, the source insisted that the implication was clear and suggested that Meghan has no plans to return to the U.K.
The last time Charles saw Archie and Lilibet was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. A source told the Mirror that the king values family above all and desires to be actively involved in his grandchildren’s lives, expressing dissatisfaction with only seeing them via video calls.
A source close to Harry reiterated that the prince has faced lifelong security risks due to his royal status, military service, and documented threats. They argued that while Harry and Meghan privately fund their security, it cannot match the necessary police protection in the U.K. They also highlighted that other former public figures with inherent risks receive police protection at no cost.
A Palace insider suggested that the situation suits the Palace, as Harry and Meghan currently must provide 28 days’ notice before visiting the U.K., detailing their movements to the police. This arrangement prevents unannounced visits and the potential establishment of a rival royal presence.
Prince Harry’s protracted legal dispute over security began in 2020 after he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States. Harry contends that his high-profile status warrants continued protection.
In a recent interview, Harry linked this issue to negative U.K. tabloid coverage, expressing fears that it could incite attacks. He stated, “All it takes is for one lone actor who reads this stuff to act on what they’ve read. And whether it’s a knife or acid, these are things that are genuine concerns for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
As reported by The Daily Beast, Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame” claims that Harry questioned his father about whether he wanted to see his grandchildren again when told to leave Frogmore Cottage. Scobie, sympathetic to the Sussexes, described Charles’ eviction decision as “a cheap shot from a wounded father bound by an institutional system that is often intolerant of human emotion.”
