Prince Harry Once Said He Wants His Father Back — Inside Their Relationship as Charles' Diagnosis Is Revealed

• For years, Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, have had a strained relationship.
• Charles' cancer diagnosis has brought Prince Harry back to his father's side, but can they heal their rift?
• Find out the details of their relationship and what Harry really wants from his father.

The bond between Prince Harry and King Charles has always been complicated, characterized by distance, tension, and misunderstanding. However, the recent revelation of the King's cancer diagnosis, which he shared with his sons before making it public, may have initiated a new phase of reconciliation and healing for the father-son duo.

Born as the second son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Prince Harry's early life was marked by a sense of being sidelined within the royal family. In his book, titled "Spare," Harry recounts a comment his father allegedly made on the day of his birth.

Charles reportedly told Diana, "Wonderful! Now you've given me an Heir and a Spare — my work is done." Growing up, Harry felt a disconnect with his father, who was much older and less playful than Diana. He wrote, "I'd resolved not to become my father. He'd been an older dad, and I'd always felt that this created problems, placed barriers between us."

The death of Diana in a car crash left a young Harry and his older brother William in grief. Harry writes about his father's reaction, "He wasn't great at showing emotions under normal circumstances; how could he be expected to show them in such a crisis?"

Harry, William, and Charles found a common interest in sports, particularly polo. In a 2006 interview with Ant and Dec, Charles shared that he used to play polo with both his sons and that they are all very competitive.

Charles also demonstrated his affection for Harry by assisting him in selecting the orchestra for his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. However, the father-son relationship faced a significant test when Harry and Meghan made the decision in 2020 to step back from their senior royal roles and move to North America with their child.

The couple expressed their intentions in a statement, explaining that after much reflection and discussion, they decided to carve out a new role within the institution of the Royal Family. Their goal was to attain financial independence while still fully supporting the Queen.

The couple outlined their plan to divide their time between the United Kingdom and North America. They believed this arrangement would allow them to fulfill their obligations to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and their patronages.

They also felt this would provide their son with an understanding of the royal tradition he was born into while giving their family the space to focus on their next chapter, including the establishment of a new charitable entity.

In a subsequent interview, Harry disclosed that they had initially proposed a plan to the Queen, Charles, and William. However, upon discussion, he was presented with five options, ranging from fully committing to royal duties to completely stepping away.

He opted for a middle ground, a half-in, half-out approach, which would allow them to have their own careers while still supporting the queen. Harry expressed, "It became very clear very quickly that goal was not up for discussion or debate. It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that just simply weren't true, and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in."

In their interview with Oprah Winfrey after stepping down from royal duties, Harry and Meghan discussed a variety of topics, including their media portrayal. They accused the royal family of ignoring their mental health, propagating untruths, and financially ostracizing them.

They cited the absence of support and protection from the royal institution and the adverse and racially prejudiced press coverage as the primary reasons for their departure. Harry also mentioned that his father had stopped communicating with him, which left him feeling "let down."

He suggested that his father and brother were "trapped" within the system. During her pregnancy with their son Archie, Meghan shared with Winfrey that there were ongoing discussions about the child's future security and title. She also mentioned that there were concerns about the possible skin tone of their unborn child.

Taken aback, Winfrey inquired about the nature of these conversations. Meghan confirmed that there were multiple discussions about the potential skin color of their baby and the implications it might have.

Harry expressed his willingness to mend the rift with his family, stating, "The ball is in their court. There's a lot to be discussed, and I really hope that they are willing to sit down and talk about it." He affirmed his belief in the monarchy but was uncertain about his future role in it, saying, "I don't know."

He also expressed a longing to reconnect, saying, "I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back." After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles ascended to the throne as King Charles III. In his inaugural address to the United Kingdom in September 2022, he honored his late mother and pledged his commitment to the people of the U.K.

Upon confirming the new roles and titles for William and his wife Catherine, he took a moment to acknowledge his son, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his daughter-in-law, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. He expressed his affection for Harry and Meghan, acknowledging their efforts to establish their lives overseas.

In November 2023, royal expert Omid Scobie said, "There is more warmth between Harry and Meghan and Charles than other family members." According to his book, "Endgame," this warmth has grown since they moved away from the country. Scobie noted that it took time to reach this point.

Scobie mentioned that Harry often took the initiative to reach out. Sources close to Harry indicated that while he understands his father may never want to discuss certain past experiences, he doesn't want to sever ties with his father completely. Scobie also revealed that Meghan frequently shares photos of their children with Charles.

On February 5, 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate. The King initiated a regular treatment schedule and postponed his public duties to focus on his recovery.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed relief that the illness was detected early. The palace stated that the King had personally informed his sons about his diagnosis before the public announcement. Prince Harry, who hadn't seen his father since his coronation in 2023, returned to the UK from California to be with him.

Harry was photographed entering the gates of Clarence House, the King's London residence. After an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles to London, Harry was seen in the back of a black SUV. The reunion was brief, lasting around 45 minutes, after which King Charles and Queen Camilla left London for his country estate in Sandringham by helicopter.

Harry appeared to be returning to the United States the following day. A source close to the royal household told People, "That is good," expressing hope that Harry would bring the grandchildren to visit at some point, as it would be a joy for all of them.