Prince Harry’s reunion with King Charles has sparked a fierce backlash, with one royal commentator branding the Duke of Sussex as nothing more than “bad news” for the monarchy.
The Duke, who visited the UK for a series of charity engagements, managed to secure a rare private meeting with his father at Clarence House. The pair are believed to have spoken for almost an hour, marking their first lengthy face-to-face in more than a year.
Reports suggest Harry showed King Charles photos and videos of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet during their emotional catch-up, a gesture interpreted by some as a step towards reconciliation. But not everyone is convinced this was a positive move for the monarchy.
Royal expert Richard Eden, the Daily Mail’s Diary Editor, weighed in during the Palace Confidential program, where he bluntly declared that Harry is “bad for the Royal Family.”
Eden argued that Harry’s actions consistently undermine the institution, accusing him and Meghan Markle of exploiting their royal ties for personal gain. “We have seen time and time again that they can’t be trusted,” he claimed. “They exploit their royal connections, and I don’t think it’s being paranoid to say that they want to be the alternative Royal Family.”
What particularly troubled Eden was Harry’s timing. The expert suggested the Duke deliberately scheduled his charity events and reunion with King Charles to clash with Prince William and Kate Middleton’s high-profile week of engagements.
“This week was full of engagements for William and Catherine, and Harry has been competing with that,” Eden said, accusing the Sussexes of attempting to overshadow the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The allegations come as William made an impactful visit to the Jac Lewis Foundation, highlighting his ongoing commitment to mental health awareness. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton drew widespread attention with solo visits to the Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk and Marina Mill in Kent.
Kate’s outings were celebrated across social media, with the royal accounts praising her focus on “creativity, skills and community.” Her choice to wear the symbolic Prince of Wales check fabric during the visits was seen as both patriotic and pointed, a reminder of her loyalty to the Crown.
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In stark contrast, Harry’s appearances in the UK from meeting veterans to reconnecting with King Charles — were painted by critics as part of a broader effort to re-establish himself on the royal stage.
Eden’s comments reflect a growing concern among royal watchers that Harry and Meghan are positioning themselves as rivals to William and Kate, the very heirs to the monarchy’s future. The suggestion that the Sussexes want to form an “alternative royal family” has reignited debates about their true intentions.
For William and Kate, who continue to balance parenting three young children with royal duties, the timing of Harry’s return appears to have added unnecessary strain. Insiders claim the couple feels that his headline-grabbing presence risks overshadowing the steady, dignified work they carry out on behalf of the monarchy.
Despite the criticism, Harry remains unapologetic about his decision to speak out and stand firm in his independence. His supporters argue that his charity work and reconciliation efforts with King Charles show a genuine desire to rebuild family ties, even if his relationship with Prince William remains fractured.
The divide between the brothers is still glaring. While Harry appears eager to reconnect with his father, William reportedly has no interest in repairing the rift at this stage, fueling speculation that the royal family remains deeply split.
For now, the palace is focused on controlling the narrative, ensuring that William and Kate’s roles as the monarchy’s future are clear, while Harry and Meghan remain firmly on the outside. But with Harry’s every move under a microscope, it’s clear the tensions between the Waleses and the Sussexes are far from over.
