In the intricate web of royal family dynamics, Queen Camilla reportedly plays a pivotal role in influencing King Charles III’s relationship with his son, Prince Harry. According to Us Weekly, the queen has been actively encouraging her husband to maintain a distance from the Duke of Sussex, a move that’s ostensibly aimed at reducing stress for the monarch who was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer earlier this year.
“Camilla dislikes Harry and doesn’t want Charles to get stressed while he’s undergoing treatment. So she tries to limit interaction,” a source revealed. This strategic distancing is placing King Charles in a challenging position as he navigates his relationships within the family. Despite the tension, the 75-year-old king is hopeful about mending ties with his younger son, even though Harry’s actions have reportedly caused pain to both Prince William and Camilla.
The situation escalated following Harry and Meghan Markle’s revealing Netflix docuseries and Harry’s autobiography, ‘Spare‘, which aired grievances and personal insights that stirred controversies. Another source expressed that these releases left Camilla both “furious” and “heartbroken”, complicating family relations further.
Royal biographer Christopher Andersen highlighted Camilla’s significant influence over King Charles, suggesting her concerns about the king’s health are prioritized when it comes to interactions with Harry. Andersen, the author of ‘The King: The Life of Charles III‘, described the situation as somewhat callous, considering the late Queen Elizabeth II’s wish for Harry to always be considered a part of the family.
Moreover, long-standing resentments have marred the relationship between Charles’ sons and their stepmother, dating back to their mother, Princess Diana’s, passing. According to Andersen, the princes had reservations about Charles remarrying and were particularly opposed to Camilla receiving the title of Queen—a promise they felt Charles had broken.
Despite the internal family strife, King Charles still harbors hope for reconciliation. He is reportedly considering a U.S. visit, which might include time with Harry, Meghan, and their children, Archie and Lilibet, who now reside in California. Tom Quinn, another royal author, mentioned that while an official visit is in discussion, any potential plans would heavily depend on Harry assuring there would be no further public disclosures that could embarrass the family.
This delicate balance between maintaining familial ties and protecting personal and public dignity continues to define the interactions within Britain’s royal family. Queen Camilla’s apparent role in these dynamics underscores the complex, often unseen forces at play behind the palace doors.