An adviser to the British royal family has expressed concerns over Prince Harry’s recounting of private conversations, noting that some of his versions of events have been “incorrect.”
This issue, along with other tensions, reportedly complicates any potential reconciliation between Harry and his father, King Charles III, who is wary of future discussions being misrepresented, according to a newly updated biography.
Adviser Disputes Prince Harry’s Claims About Private Royal Talks
In The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, author Robert Hardman delves into the obstacles facing the royal family, with added insights in the latest paperback edition.
Hardman, referencing a “senior constitutional expert and family adviser,” highlights challenges to a royal reunion, including Harry’s past lawsuit against the British government for withdrawing his police protection and various disputed public statements.
One particularly controversial example concerns Harry’s description of the day he learned of his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother’s passing in 2002.
In his memoir, Spare, he recalls receiving a call at Eton College, describing vivid details of his surroundings at that moment. However, Hardman points out that Harry was actually on a skiing trip in Switzerland with his father and brother at the time, as evidenced by photographs taken of them together shortly before the Queen Mother’s death.
This inconsistency raises doubts about the accuracy of other accounts Harry has shared publicly.
The adviser explained that such inaccuracies could lead to misunderstandings if Harry were to discuss sensitive issues with the King and later provide an altered account.
“Imagine if the Prince talked to his father about his legal case and then recounted that conversation, perhaps not entirely accurately,” the adviser said, emphasizing the legal implications that might follow.
Hardman speculates that Harry may have confused this event with the death of Princess Margaret, which occurred just a month earlier. This might explain the haziness in his recollections, given that his memories of these family losses were documented in close succession in Spare.
Another former staff member cited in the book comments on King Charles’ restraint in the face of public critiques by Harry, especially in interviews and his memoir.
“He always showed remarkable discipline in avoiding conflicts with the Sussexes,” the staffer shared, noting that it takes considerable strength to stay silent in the face of harsh criticism.
The book’s new insights underscore the intricate unresolved tensions within the royal family, shedding light on the significant hurdles that could impede any genuine reconciliation between father and son.