Prince Harry’s ‘sour’ relations with royals overshadow Invictus Games success

Prince Harry is reportedly feeling remorseful about his treatment of the royal family following his exit in 2020. In an interview with OK! magazine, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond reflected on the Duke of Sussex’s emotions as he prepares to return to the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Bond explained that Harry blames himself for creating a rift between him and his family, which has led to their absence from his upcoming service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The service will mark the beginning of the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport event for wounded and sick military personnel that Harry founded in 2014.

“I think Harry must be feeling rather contrite. His problems and complaints seem so trivial in the face of the cancer both his father and sister-in-law are fighting,” the royal expert shared. “There must be a part of him now that profoundly regrets the rift he and Meghan have caused… he has no one else to blame,” Jennie continued.

“He’s here to celebrate the Invictus Games… and rightly so, it is a great achievement. But how telling it will be to see him there without a single member of the royal family present to salute his achievement. “It will be a graphic illustration of what he has done to the family he still professes to love,” the royal expert added.

“The path to making things right again is a rocky one, or, indeed, a near-impossible one when it comes to William and Catherine,” Bond said, acknowledging the challenges Harry faces in repairing his relationship with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, a decision that strained their relationship with the royal family. Their move to California, followed by high-profile interviews and Harry’s memoir Spare, has only deepened the divide.

Despite these tensions, Harry remains committed to his charitable work, including the Invictus Games. However, his relationship with his brother Prince William, and sister-in-law Catherine remains strained. The couple has reportedly found it difficult to move past the public criticisms and personal revelations shared in Harry’s memoir.

Bond emphasized that Harry’s desire to make amends with his family is genuine but noted that healing the rift may take considerable time. “He knows that he has caused hurt and damage, but he still believes in the causes he has championed and wants to continue his work,” she said.

The Duke of Sussex’s absence from recent royal events, including King Charles III’s coronation, has further highlighted the strained relationship. King Charles himself is reportedly saddened by the distance between his sons and hopes for reconciliation.