Why King Charles Refuses to Reach Out to Prince Harry, Royal Expert Explains

Following a significant legal loss over security provisions in the UK on May 2, the Duke of Sussex shared that Charles has remained unresponsive to his attempts at communication. Royal expert Christopher Andersen believes there’s a clear reason why Charles has yet to engage publicly or privately with his son.

“It really does look like Charles is taking the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ axiom to a whole other level, doesn’t it?” noted Andersen. The royal expert explained, “The King is only hewing to a long-standing royal practice of not dignifying something by commenting on it. The Palace does not want to give oxygen to Harry’s remarks.”

Andersen added that King Charles III is dealing with numerous personal and public responsibilities, and engaging in a public dispute with his son offers no benefit. He noted that Harry, on the other hand, has taken the opposite approach, something clearly reflected in his headline-making BBC News interview.

The royal expert suggested that Harry went public, likely due to the ongoing private silence from the palace. “It must be terribly frustrating for him not to even be able to get through to his father on the phone. There’s a real Catch 22 here: As long as the Palace ignores Harry in the vain hope that he’ll go away, it puts him in the position of having to amp up the volume of his public comments,” he speculated.

Despite the tension, Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with the royal family. He emphasized that continuing the conflict serves no purpose. He also referenced Charles’ ongoing battle with cancer, noting the uncertainty surrounding how much time his father may have left.

Andersen believes Harry may genuinely want reconciliation but sees his approach as counterproductive, saying, “If Harry really wants to reconcile with his family, he has an odd way of showing it.”

Andersen pointed out that while Harry has voiced a desire to mend ties with his family, he has also accused the palace of interfering in his legal battle. The 40-year-old questioned their concern for his family’s safety and stated that he currently can’t imagine returning to the UK with Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet.

Yet, as per Andersen, in the same breath, Harry cites his father’s declining health as a reason to reconcile, an appeal that seems at odds with the harsh claims he’s made publicly.

The May 2 ruling marked the outcome of Harry’s most recent legal battle with the UK government over the security arrangements provided to him and his family during visits to the country.

Although the court acknowledged the “powerful” case he made about the threats they faced, it concluded that his sense of injustice did not amount to a valid legal argument.

At the center of his challenge was the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) committee, which oversees security decisions for senior royals on behalf of the Home Office. Harry argued that he was unfairly stripped of the automatic, comprehensive protection granted to other senior royals.

He maintained that his case should have been evaluated by Ravec’s Risk Management Board (RMB), which is tasked with assessing potential threats, but this step was bypassed.

While judges agreed that the committee had departed from standard policy when deciding on his security in 2020, they ultimately deemed the move reasonable due to the unique and complex nature of his circumstances.

Harry has reflected on how the changes to his security arrangements had broader implications, affecting not only him but his wife and kids. He implied that officials were aware of the risks posed by scaling back protection in 2020 and suspected that the decision might have been intended to pressure the couple into returning to royal life.

“But then when you realise that didn’t work, do you not want to keep us safe? Whether you’re the government, the Royal Household, whether you’re my dad, my family — despite all of our differences, do you not want to just ensure our safety?” he asked.

When asked whether he missed being in the UK, the dad of two said he has a deep affection for the country despite feeling let down by some individuals within it. He admitted it was upsetting that he may never be able to properly introduce his children to the place he considers home.

Additionally, following the court’s decision, Harry indicated he would not pursue any further legal action. He concluded that the court’s decision confirmed there was no viable path to success through the legal system.

He also noted that the outcome had caught him off guard and suggested he would have appreciated clearer guidance earlier in the process.

“This, at the heart of it, is a family dispute, and it makes me really, really sad that we’re sitting here today, five years later, where a decision that was made most likely, in fact I know, to keep us under the roof,” he lamented.

Prince Harry is deeply affected by the court’s decision, expressing disappointment not only in the outcome but also in those who supported it. He believes some individuals, particularly those with ill intentions toward him, might view the ruling as a victory.

Even in his disappointment, Harry is already taking the next steps. He called Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to intervene in his security case and review how the Ravec committee operates.

In a statement released after the ruling, he confirmed that he had written to Cooper, urging an urgent review of the matter. However, a spokesperson for the Home Office said they welcomed the court’s decision and maintained that the UK’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.

“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security,” the spokesperson added.

Buckingham Palace also rejected Harry’s suggestion that the Royal Household played a role in the 2020 decision to remove his security. The Palace has now maintained that the matter has been thoroughly reviewed in court multiple times, with each ruling arriving at the same conclusion.

Even as Harry continues to secure protection for his family, life goes on for the Sussexes. On May 6, 2025, Archie celebrated his sixth birthday. Marking the occasion online, Meghan shared a heartwarming photo of their son on Instagram.

A golden sunset stretched across the ocean as Archie stood quietly, facing the horizon, his small frame silhouetted against a blaze of orange light. It was a serene, almost poetic moment.

There were no palace backdrops, no formal portraits — just a child in pajamas, basking in the glow of the setting sun, capturing the purity of a fleeting moment. The Instagram post carried a gentle power, telling a story of reflection, love, and the swift passage of time.

Alongside the striking photo, Meghan wrote a heartfelt caption, “Our son. Our sun. Happy 6th birthday to Archie! Thank you for all of the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy. He’s six! Where did the time go? (And for all of you who came to celebrate with us at his party last weekend, thank you for making his birthday so incredibly special ❤️).”

While Archie marked his sixth birthday in Montecito, California, with loved ones, one notable figure was reportedly away from home on his special day, Harry.

The Duke of Sussex was miles away in Las Vegas, lending his voice and presence to a cause close to his heart: Youth empowerment through The Diana Award’s new initiative, “Pledge to Invest.”

Launched on May 6, the same day Archie celebrated his birthday, “Pledge to Invest” aims to drive lasting support for the next generation of leaders by encouraging forward-thinking businesses to back youth development in meaningful, sustainable ways.

The initiative is the latest endeavor from The Diana Award, a charity created in memory of the late Princess of Wales. It continues to be supported by both of her sons.

While Harry’s absence from home on his son’s birthday was certainly noteworthy, it is not the first time the Duke of Sussex has missed Archie’s special day. On May 6, 2023, Harry attended the Coronation of his father, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla in London, England.

At the launch, Harry joined Dr. Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award, for a thought-provoking discussion alongside two recipients of the prestigious Legacy Award — young changemakers, Sikander ‘Sonny’ Khan and Christina Williams, who embody Diana’s spirit and vision.

Also present was Paul Fipps, President of Global Customer Operations at ServiceNow, the Knowledge 2025 event host, where the conversation unfolded. The dialogue focused on how businesses can invest money, mentorship, platforms, and long-term opportunities in youth-led innovation and leadership.

Before stepping onto the stage, Harry and Dr. Ojo sat down with over 20 influential executives, donors, and social impact leaders, including ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott, for a private roundtable.

The gathering was an opportunity to spark dialogue about actionable strategies that could bridge the gap between corporate power and grassroots potential.

Harry made his presence felt on a global stage through powerful words and a clear commitment to the next generation. Speaking at the launch, he shared deeply personal insights about the urgency of uplifting young voices — a mission that echoes the spirit of his late mother.

Reflecting on his involvement with The Diana Award, Harry spoke passionately about the profound impact of witnessing young people rise above adversity and turn their challenges into catalysts for change.

“That’s not just inspiring — it’s the kind of untapped potential we can’t afford to overlook,” he said. His remarks critiqued existing systems, emphasizing that too many young individuals remain locked out of leadership pipelines because inclusive and accessible pathways haven’t been built.

Throughout the discussion, Harry challenged outdated perceptions of youth, noting that today’s generation is already stepping into leadership, not waiting for permission.

He explained that what makes them exceptional isn’t just their emotional intelligence and social consciousness, but their rejection of the status quo. “If we’re serious about a better future, we need to stop underestimating them and start listening,” he urged.

In a moment of heartfelt recognition, the Duke turned to fellow panelists, Sikander and Christina, both young changemakers, and paid tribute to their leadership and values.

“There’s more empathy in this generation than I’ve ever seen before… It’s the empathy, the authenticity, the truth, the honesty and the fearlessness,” he marveled.

Acknowledging their courage to stand up for what’s right in their communities, Harry added, “That is what we need. We need fearless leadership. So I tip my hat to both of you and what you represent.”