Prince Harry has just lost his legal battle to regain official security during his visits to the United Kingdom.
But what is drawing the most attention is not the court ruling, but the silence of his father, King Charles III.
Tension Between King Charles and Prince Harry
According to friends close to the monarch, that silence was not coincidental. They say Charles was frustrated and hurt by Harry’s handling of the matter.
The king, according to this source, stayed out of it because he felt that intervening would have been “constitutionally improper.” And he apparently hoped his son would understand that position.
What hurt him most, according to an insider who spoke to The Sun, was that Harry did not respect that position and that from certain quarters he was painted as an indifferent father.
On Harry’s side, the version is different. In an interview with the BBC after the ruling was known, the duke made it clear that he never wanted his father to intervene.
“I asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their jobs,” he said, noting that all he seeks is effective security for him and his family when they set foot on British soil.
Harry also assured that he tried to resolve the issue privately and even offered to cover the costs of his security.
In his official statement he pointed out that the only thing he has been asking for all this time is to be able to visit his country with the level of protection he considers necessary.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace broke its silence with a terse but categorical statement.
They recalled that the courts have reviewed this whole matter several times and always came to the same conclusion: there is no justification for granting him escort paid by the State.
This episode lays bare the emotional distance between father and son that does not seem to be closing.
“That love has been sorely tested by this case and so many other issues,” the same source commented on Charles’ mood.
Although he also added that the door is not locked, it has only been ajar out of necessity.
Harry, for his part, said he wants reconciliation. That continuing to fight makes no sense. That life is too short.