Prince Harry Wrote 'Deeply Personal' Note To 'Very Hurt' Charles Before Prince Philip's Funeral

Apr 20, 2021 by apost team

Prince Philip's funeral on April 17, 2021, was a quiet affair with only 30 people in attendance due to the coronavirus restrictions. Generally, a man of Philips's stature would have received a state funeral with a minimum of 800 people in attendance, but this could not happen due to the ongoing pandemic. The guestlist of 30 people only comprised of the closest royal family members, which naturally included all of Philip's children and many of his grandchildren. 

Tensions have been running high in the royal family after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a controversial interview in March. During the television special, the couple openly criticized the royal family and its culture. The interview was scheduled in light of another controversy — Harry and Meghan’s decision to move to California and step back as senior royals. The couple is expecting their second child, a girl, who is due in the summer. 

The funeral was, in some ways, a segue for the family to heal after a tumultuous time. Since Harry and Meghan's abrupt departure in March 2020, this is the first time that Harry and his family have reunited. While there have been many reports of how this rift in the family has played out between Harry and William, much less has been said about Harry's other familial relationships and their state. 

Prince Charles was reportedly "very hurt" following the interview from March 2021, and to assuage the hurt and work with the family during the difficult time of the funeral, Harry wrote his father a "deeply personal" letter according to Express UK. 

Following the controversial Oprah interview which aired in March 2021, Metro UK reports that Harry's relationship with his father hit "rock bottom" after a "complete communication breakdown." Charles was thought to be "very hurt" after the two-hour special aired, especially because Harry accused Charles of no longer taking his calls. As per the news outlet, sources claim that Harry was "forced to write letters" to the Prince of Wales because of the lack of communication. 

In the letter, NZ Herald reported that Harry "outlined his reasons for leaving" his position as a senior member of the royal family and added that he would continue to "respect the institution" while living his new life in California. Harry also reached out to his father before he prepared to reunite with his family for the first time since leaving for the US in March 2020. 

Metro UK also reported that a royal source said, "He wrote a deeply personal note to his dad to try and set things straight but tensions are still running high and things haven’t exactly ironed out the way he had hoped." The source continued, "There had been a kind of unspoken agreement between everyone to park whatever has been on each person's mind, and solely concentrate on supporting the Queen ahead of Prince Philip's funeral."

Earlier, "the feeling inside the camp was that it wasn't the time nor the place to go over things, especially at such an emotional time for everybody involved," but the most recent news reports also state that peace talks between the family members seem to have begun. 

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During the funeral cortege, Harry and William were separated by their cousin and Philip's eldest grandson, Peter Phillips. One report suggests that William had requested it, while a friend of Harry's told the Daily Mail, "He's just doing what he's told and getting on with it."

However, after the funeral service, Harry was seen talking with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the ceremony had ended, which has raised hopes that the siblings had finally begun to thaw their frosty relationship. The moment is believed to be the first time the brothers have spoken in person since Harry and Meghan's controversial interview was released.

Following this brief conversation, the brothers met for "peace talks," as reported by the Daily Mail, away from the cameras in Windsor Castle and with the inclusion of their father Prince Charles. About this, a royal insider told Metro UK, "There is no way this is the end of the crisis in their relationships but it’s a good gesture and a nice way to take the first step towards healing." 

It is also believed that Harry may stay for his grandmother's upcoming birthday. Just days after farewelling her husband of 73 years, Queen Elizabeth will be celebrating her 95th birthday without Prince Philip for the first time in over seven decades. As Harry is already in the U.K. and has an open flight to return home, it's thought that may continue to stay in the UK for a while longer despite being anxious to return to his pregnant wife and young son. 

Do you think that the rift between Harry and his family will be healed? Tell us what your thoughts are, and be sure to let others know that Harry is trying to do his part to mend relationships with his family.