Prince Harry has been branded ‘entitled’ by a senior Tory and ‘deluded’ by a Palace source after a furious BBC interview attacking the UK establishment and his own family.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal threw out Harry’s attempt to reinstate his 24/7 police protection while in Britain – sparking a furious backlash from the prince, who branded the ruling an ‘Establishment stitch-up’ during an explosive BBC interview.
In a follow-up statement, the Duke declared: ‘Given my profound concerns over this issue, I will be writing to the Home Secretary to ask her to urgently examine the matter and review the Ravec [Royal and VIP Executive Committee] process.’
But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed Harry’s demands, telling the Mail: ‘This is the price the entitled prince has to pay for choosing to walk away from public duty.’
Palace aides were even more blunt. One insider told The Telegraph: ‘Harry has simply lost touch with reality. The man doesn’t get the message.’
They also claimed that King Charles has ignored repeated attempts by his son to make contact.
‘His father has avoided all his efforts for the last few years to speak on the phone or try to get messages to him through various circles,’ the source said.
Prince Harry has been branded ‘deluded’ by a Palace source after a furious BBC interview (pictured with his father in 2022)
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed Harry’s told the Mail: ‘This is the price the entitled prince has to pay for choosing to walk away from public duty’
‘This TV moment shows his desperation and refusal to accept any responsibility for attacks on the Royals, attempts to undermine the institution and vicious claims about racism and bullying.’
One of Charles’ team labelled him ‘deluded’ for thinking a media interview, quite clearly poking at his father and brother, could force any talks.
‘If Harry reckoned going “scorched earth” was a clever move, he was foolish.’
After stepping back from official duties in 2020 and moving to California, Harry and his wife Meghan were no longer given the security provided for senior royals in the UK.
In February 2024, the High Court ruled this was ‘legally sound’. He challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal but lost again on Friday.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: ‘What I’m struggling to forgive, and will probably always struggle to forgive, is that a decision that was made in 2020 that affects me every single day, and that is knowingly putting me and my family in harm’s way.’
He said he could only come to the UK if ‘invited’ and that the King should ‘step aside and allow the experts to do what is necessary’.
The Mirror also reports that sources have said that Prince William also has ‘no incentive’ to speak to the Duke, citing ‘a major trust issue’.
Despite the criticism, Harry claimed he still wants peace: ‘I would love a reconciliation,’ he said, but admitted: ‘My father won’t speak to me.’
He also said he didn’t know ‘how much longer’ his cancer-stricken father had and admitted there had been ‘so many disagreements’ with Prince William, but added he had ‘forgiven’ him.
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, pictured on Friday as he rejected Harry’s appeal
The oracle predicts an ex-employee of the Sussexes will leak telling documents. Meghan and Harry pictured in New York last month
Meghan Markle has posted a photo in an apparent show of support for her husband Prince Harry in the aftermath of his bombshell interview
‘I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point,’ he said.
Royal commentators have criticised Harry for speaking publicly about the rift and his father’s health.
Majesty Magazine’s managing editor Joe Little found Harry’s comments about the health of Charles ‘quite alarming’.
Mr Little said: ‘From what Harry is saying, despite admitting that he has not spoken to his father for some time, I thought it sent out a bit of a mixed message, really.
‘Is Harry suggesting that the King isn’t as well as we are led to believe?’
Just hours after the interview aired, Meghan posted a black-and-white photo of Harry walking through their California garden. He is seen holding Archie’s hand and carrying Lilibet on his shoulders.
The image was shared without comment but was widely seen as a response to his claims about not returning to Britain.
Buckingham Palace issued a rare public statement, saying: ‘All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.’
Privately, aides mocked the Duke for using the media to air his grievances.
‘The very arena of the media, which he has bemoaned for years, is the same platform he utilises to seemingly hurt his father, by saying things like “Charles may not be long for this world” as well as other disrespectful accusations,’ a senior source said.
Prince Harry (pictured with King Charles in 2019) said he wants to reconcile with his family
Harry and Meghan are pictured with their children, Archie and Lilibet, in California
The King waved at fans yesterday as he was spotted for the first time since Harry’s bombshell interview
‘The irony is not wasted on anyone within courtier circles and senior Royals.’
While Harry continues his public campaign, the Royal Family are focused on marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Monday, watching a ceremony with a packed schedule that includes a military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces.
A flypast by the Red Arrows and aircraft used to support Ukraine will be part of the commemorative ceremony on Monday.
The show will include planes involved in tensions with Russia, such as P8 Poseidons, which conduct reconnaissance missions surveying Russian vessels near UK waters, and Voyager aircraft, which fly Ukrainian recruits to the UK for training and deliver equipment to Ukrainian forces.
A palace aide said: ‘The King, Queen and other members of The Royal Family are much looking forward to all the week’s VE Day events… commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation whose selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all – and must never be forgotten.’
