Prince Harry has consistently expressed that the U.K. media played a significant role in the challenges prompting him and Meghan Markle to step away from their royal duties. Their recent return to the U.K. has reignited these tensions, particularly with a tabloid story concerning Harry’s relationship with King Charles III.
In August, Harry and Meghan secured a correction from the Daily Mail over an erroneous article about visits to celebrity friends. Now, a front-page story by the Daily Mirror is reportedly inaccurate according to Newsweek. The newspaper, previously sued by Harry over phone-hacking allegations, claimed “Harry and King have not spoken,” with a subhead stating, “Prince yet to call Charles two weeks after he moved back to the U.K.” However, Newsweek has been informed that Charles and Harry communicated during the week following the Sussexes’ move to Britain.
Why It Matters
Harry and Meghan’s reintegration into U.K. life remains in its early stages. A key challenge will be managing the pressures that initially led them to relocate to the U.S. These issues included a family rift and criticism from the British media, which they claimed was agenda-driven. The latest media coverage coincides with other conflicts between the Sussexes and Buckingham Palace concerning a letter from the head of the Royal Household affirming their status as non-working royals.
The Mirror reported Harry hadn’t “scheduled a call” with Charles since returning, with Charles being in Scotland. The article suggested ongoing tension, noting the family was unaware of Harry’s reasons for returning from California. Newsweek learned that Harry did speak to his father in his first week back in Britain, and there is no indication of a formal complaint concerning the story.
Palace Relations
The Mirror dispute followed tensions with the palace over a palace letter sent by King Charles’ behalf to officials and representatives across the U.K. The letter confirmed the Sussexes’ status as non-working royals with abeyant HRH titles, advising dignitaries not to use those styles.
The letter was issued on Monday; Newsweek reported the Sussexes were “surprised” by the short notification time before media circulation, expecting more notice than an hour. They had requested a wording change, preferring “public figures” over “private citizens,” but the letter remained unchanged. It read: “Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”