Prince Harry Urges Reconciliation With Royal Family

Prince Harry has renewed his appeal to repair his strained relationships with King Charles III and Prince William, telling GQ that reconciliation remains important despite years of family conflict. In a video interview conducted by host Zach Baron in September and released Tuesday, October 20, the 42-year-old Duke of Sussex discussed the lasting effects of family disagreements and his hopes for healing.

Harry acknowledged that his relationships with his father, 77, and brother, 44, have caused him grief. He also described family estrangement as an experience that resonates with people beyond the royal household.

Asked about the emotional impact of those relationships, Harry acknowledged his feelings directly.

"Yes, of course," Harry said.

He explained that people frequently approach him about disagreements between siblings and difficulties between parents and children.

"I think from a family perspective — again, another massively relatable issue for so many people — sibling disagreements, broken relationships between kids and their parents, kids and one parent. That continues to come up with me the whole time with people that I speak to, so I know how relatable it is." Harry said.

Harry added that some people see his family situation as a possible example of how damaged relationships might be repaired.

"Some people maybe look at us and go, ‘How are you gonna work it out? Maybe that will help me work my stuff out,’" Harry said.

He distinguished his own position from those who may not want reconciliation.

"Some people don't want it to work out," Harry said.

He then made clear that he hopes his family can overcome its disagreements.

"I want it to work out. With everything else that's going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile — that's the key point." Harry said.

When Baron asked whether the family's emotional wounds could heal, Harry acknowledged that past experiences can leave lasting marks.

"Scars stick around forever." Harry said.

Harry discussed the importance of changing how people approach painful experiences and allowing themselves to move forward.

"But what your perception is, and what your mindset is to those things that have happened, letting go of the past," Harry said.

He encouraged people to consider whether past conflicts continue to affect their everyday lives.

"That's something that I would encourage everybody to do: If there's certain things from the past that are still affecting you every day, that's harder to let go of." Harry said.

He also pointed to the pressures people face outside their family relationships.

"But, for me, there's enough drama in the world and enough drama in people's lives to continue with issues with family," Harry said.

After the interview appeared, the remark about some people not wanting reconciliation prompted speculation that Harry was referring to William. A representative for the Duke of Sussex subsequently rejected that interpretation, saying the comments were general rather than directed at any particular family member.

"was absolutely not intended as a swipe at his brother or any other member of his family." Harry's spokesperson told People magazine.

The representative further clarified the context of the remarks.

"The comment was made in a general context and was not directed at his family in any way," Harry's representative said.

Harry's relationship with the royal family has deteriorated over several years. Speculation about tensions between the brothers intensified after Harry married Meghan Markle, the former Suits actress, in 2018.

In an October 2019 interview with ITV, Harry acknowledged that his relationship with William had changed, although he maintained that their family bond would remain.

"always be brothers," Harry said.

He described their differing circumstances at the time.

"different paths" Harry said.

The couple's decision to step back from their senior working royal roles in January 2020 further strained relations. They moved to Canada before eventually settling in California.

During a 2021 television interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry and Meghan alleged that the royal institution had failed to support them and raised an allegation of racism involving an unnamed member of the royal family.

Harry also discussed his relationship with Charles, saying he had felt disappointed by his father while expressing an enduring attachment to him.

"really let down" Harry said.

Despite the conflict, Harry expressed his continuing affection for Charles.

"always love" Harry said.

He also described his intention to prioritize repairing their relationship.

"make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship." Harry said.

Discussing William, Harry said he still loved his brother while acknowledging the distance between them.

"to bits" Harry said.

He again described their differing circumstances.

"different paths." Harry said.

Harry characterized the distance between the brothers at the time as a form of separation rather than a definitive end to their relationship.

"space" Harry said.

He expressed hope that their relationship could improve with time.

"time heals all things." Harry said.

The rift widened further with the release of the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan in 2022. Harry accused the royal institution of leaking and planting stories, while his January 2023 memoir, Spare, detailed private disputes with Charles and William.

In the memoir, Harry alleged that William physically attacked him during a 2019 argument concerning Meghan. Buckingham Palace declined to respond publicly to the allegations.

During a January 2023 ITV interview promoting Spare, Harry said forgiveness remained possible and expressed a desire to restore his relationships with his father and brother.

"Forgiveness is 100% a possibility because I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back." Harry said.

He also described how distant the relationships had become.

"At the moment, I don't recognize them, as much as they probably don't recognize me," Harry said.

Harry said that repairing the relationships would require acknowledgment of past events as well as a willingness to move forward.

"Though I would like to have reconciliation, I would like accountability," Harry said.

He added that making peace with past events did not mean disregarding them entirely.

"I've managed to make peace over this time with a lot of things that have happened. But that doesn't mean that I'm just gonna let it go." Harry said.

Harry reiterated his desire for reconciliation during a BBC interview in May 2025, following the loss of his legal challenge over security arrangements in the United Kingdom.

"I would love reconciliation with my family," Harry said.

He argued that continued conflict was not worthwhile given the importance of life and family relationships.

"There’s no point in continuing to fight any more. Life is precious." Harry said.

Harry also raised concerns about the limited time he might have with his father. Charles was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February 2024 and continues to receive medical treatment.

"I don’t know how much longer my father has," Harry said.

At the time of the BBC interview, Harry said he was not in contact with Charles and linked the situation to the dispute over his security in the United Kingdom.

"He won't speak to me because of this security stuff." Harry said.

Harry also indicated that he had become willing to forgive aspects of the family's past disagreements.

"things that have happened that I can now forgive" Harry said.