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Prince Harry’s recent behavior has stirred widespread backlash and further distanced him from the British royal family. His legal dispute with the Home Office regarding taxpayer-funded security, coupled with a controversial BBC interview, has left him looking tone-deaf and out of touch. The BBC itself has come under fire, even issuing an apology for what many have called a poorly handled, biased interview. The backlash has intensified as Harry and Meghan Markle find themselves losing supporters, with many pointing to their own actions as the cause.
In the BBC interview, Harry expressed a desire to reconcile with his family, claiming that King Charles wasn’t returning his calls. This sentiment, however, comes after years of public attacks, including the Netflix documentary, numerous interviews, and the publication of his memoir Spare. Four years ago, following Prince Philip’s death, Charles and William had actually tried to reach out to Harry out of concern for his well-being, especially after his inflammatory Oprah interview. But Harry had dismissed their efforts. Now, after years of painting them as villains, he seems to think he can simply call a truce—provided he gets his security reinstated.
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Harry’s dismissive tone during the interview was striking. He admitted the royal family was upset about Spare and the documentary, but brushed it off, claiming he had “truth” on his side and that they should just forgive and move on. This sense of entitlement, as if his forgiveness should be enough to overlook years of accusations, has left a bitter taste. The royal family, already dealing with serious health issues among key members, seems to have had enough. As one commentator put it, they’ve chosen to “love him from afar” and close the door.
What also surprised many was Harry’s choice to do the interview with the BBC, rather than ITV’s Tom Bradby, a former friend who had previously shown him and Meghan sympathetic coverage. Bradby had even asked Meghan during a previous interview if she was okay, famously prompting her emotional response. But their relationship cooled after Bradby pushed back during a later interview, confronting Harry on whether he and Meghan had accused the royal family of racism. Harry awkwardly denied it, claiming it was the British press who made that assumption—even though the Oprah interview included clear insinuations about conversations surrounding Archie’s skin color.
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Harry has never publicly corrected the widespread belief that he and Meghan accused members of the royal family of racism. In fact, a book by journalist Omid Scobie, closely associated with the Sussexes, even named King Charles and Princess Catherine as the individuals who allegedly made comments about Archie’s skin tone. The couple never denied this, allowing the narrative to fester. Now, years later, Harry claims he never accused them of racism, blaming the media for twisting their words.
In the BBC interview, Harry maintained a smug demeanor, appearing to demand reconciliation while continuing to portray himself as a victim and painting the royal family in a negative light. Although the interview was supposed to be brief, it ran over 30 minutes because Harry had a lot to say. Unfortunately, the interviewer failed to challenge his claims or provide balance by including responses from Buckingham Palace or the Home Office. As a result, the BBC later admitted to poor editorial judgment.
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One of the most disturbing aspects for viewers was Harry’s decision to sit down with the BBC at all, considering the history his mother, Princess Diana, had with the broadcaster. Diana’s infamous interview with Martin Bashir was obtained through deceit and manipulation. That interview led her to become increasingly paranoid, ultimately relinquishing her royal security—a move many believe contributed to her fatal car crash. Harry has repeatedly referenced this trauma throughout his life, so his willingness to work with the same institution that played a role in his mother’s downfall struck many as hypocritical.
Adding fuel to the fire are rumors that Harry was paid for this BBC interview. Though unconfirmed, the idea that he may have profited from another explosive royal tell-all is viewed by many as deeply inappropriate. His long-time friends and allies continue to distance themselves, including financier Jemima Goldsmith’s brother, Zac Goldsmith, who publicly criticized Harry’s behavior as “unforgivable.”
Harry’s claims of being targeted by a secret force within the royal institution only deepened the controversy. His lawsuit against the Home Office argued that he and his family were being deliberately left vulnerable. But the courts, after thorough review, found that as a non-working royal, his case warranted only a case-by-case assessment for security—an arrangement already applied to many other royals. Even Princess Anne, who once faced an attempted kidnapping, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, lost round-the-clock security over a decade ago. The idea that Harry alone deserves constant protection, especially while living abroad and no longer serving the Crown, seems out of step with precedent.
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The public perception of Harry and Meghan has shifted drastically. Once sympathetic figures portrayed as victims of palace politics, many now see them as self-absorbed and manipulative. Despite their repeated complaints about royal life and constant demands for privacy, they continue to court media attention and cling to their titles while rejecting the responsibilities that come with them.
Their infamous Oprah interview, once seen as a bold expose, is now being reevaluated as a strategic move to pressure the royal family into giving them what they wanted. Harry and Meghan seemingly believed that by publicly airing their grievances, they could force the institution into submission—expecting apologies, restored privileges, and security. But instead, the royal family’s calm, measured response—"Recollections may vary"—was a calculated rebuttal. It allowed them to deny the Sussexes’ version of events without escalating the situation. They held firm, never offering the apology Harry and Meghan seemed to expect.
Ultimately, this saga has backfired on Harry and Meghan. Their attempt to play hardball has isolated them further and undermined their credibility. With no substantial evidence to support many of their claims, the public and media have grown weary of their narrative. Their once-powerful platform has become a cautionary tale of how miscalculated public relations campaigns and repeated grievances can alienate even the most sympathetic audiences.
Prince Harry’s recent moves reflect a man who misjudged his position and overestimated the public’s patience. By continuing to attack the family he claims to want to reconcile with, he has sabotaged any path to genuine healing. Instead of mending bridges, he’s burned them—and now he must liv
e with the consequences.
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