King Charles' 9-word plea to William and Harry after brothers' tense reunion
The relationship between King Charles and his sons, Princes William and Prince Harry, has been strained since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle decided to step back from their Royal duties in 2020. The tension has resulted in limited face-to-face meetings between the father and sons in the subsequent years.
One such tense reunion occurred in April 2021 when Harry returned for Prince Philip's funeral, which took place exactly three years ago today. This meeting came just weeks after Harry's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, which further deepened the rift within the family. According to Harry's memoir 'Spare', he, William, and Charles met after the funeral to discuss their issues.
Harry claimed that a heated argument ensued between him and William after he felt "cut off" when expressing his feelings to them. In response to the escalating tension, Charles reportedly pleaded with his sons, saying: "Please, boys - don't make my final years a misery."
Harry also revealed in his book that he was taken aback during the exchange when William used a "secret code" they had for "times of extreme crisis", reports the Mirror.
Harry shared in his book how William also made him look into his eyes to express his love and desire for Harry's happiness. He then admitted that he told William he loved him too, but his "stubbornness is extraordinary" and he pulled away.
He further revealed that William pulled him back and said: "Harold you must listen to me, I just want you to be happy, Harold, I swear, I swear on mummy's life."
Harry added: "It stopped me cold, as it was meant to. Not because he'd used it, but because it didn't work. I simply didn't believe him."
Meanwhile, a friend has suggested that Charles mending his relationship with Harry isn't his main concern.
Sources previously claimed that the King and Queen Camilla were left 'furious' and 'wearied' by the allegations Harry made in Spare - which included the claim that Charles didn't hug Harry after Princess Diana's death, and Camilla "sacrificing" him for positive PR.
However, when it was announced in February that the King was receiving cancer treatment, Harry flew across the Atlantic to visit his father, sparking rumours that they might be about to repair their relationship. After his visit, Harry hinted that his father's illness could lead to a reconciliation as he discussed the King's cancer diagnosis.
In an interview with a US breakfast show, he also said "I love my family", and that he was "grateful" to be able to spend time with his father. He said: "The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that."
