Queen Camilla is choosing not to involve herself in the ongoing conflict between her husband, King Charles III, and his estranged son, Prince Harry. As their relationship remains strained, a source revealed to People magazine that the 77-year-old queen consort is maintaining a hands-off stance. Meanwhile, Prince William is also said to be keeping his distance from Harry, who distanced himself from royal duties in 2020.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that despite her lack of direct involvement, Camilla’s steady support for King Charles behind the scenes is apparent. “Their relationship is one of mutual reliance and comfort, especially as King Charles faces health challenges and endures the emotional toll of the highly publicized family rift,” Fordwich stated. “Camilla’s presence reassures King Charles, ensuring he remains composed and confident.”
Some royal commentators suggest that King Charles, now 76, should take the initiative to reconcile with Harry. However, there is evident hesitation, mainly due to reported trust issues among many senior royals regarding Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.
“Camilla’s strategy of distance and composure in the situation has been received as both dignified and supportive of the monarchy,” Fordwich explained. Yet, she also noted that this approach does little to heal the ongoing familial divide. Camilla has consciously decided to remain uninvolved, especially given the recent tensions that arose following Harry’s interviews and his memoir, ‘Spare.’
After stepping back from royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their grievances publicly, and Harry’s 2023 memoir unveiled details that further deepened family tensions. In promotional interviews, Harry accused Camilla of leaking private discussions to the media in a bid to enhance her own public image, stating, “That made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British press.”
Harry’s relationship with his family has been under renewed scrutiny, particularly after an emotional BBC interview earlier this year in which he expressed a desire for reconciliation but admitted his father is currently unwilling to engage with him. This estrangement has been further complicated by past remarks concerning Camilla, which resonate deeply given her involvement in the dissolution of Charles’ marriage to Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.
Harry has described his feelings toward Camilla as complex, recalling the challenges of accepting a stepparent he felt played a role in his family’s turmoil. He has expressed a hope for her happiness, suggesting that it might alleviate some of the perceived dangers surrounding her role within the family.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner noted that Harry’s remarks about Camilla have likely contributed to Charles’ decision to distance himself from his son. “It is well known that King Charles can become very upset and hot under the collar. Certainly, Charles is upset about remarks made… about Camilla,” Turner said. He pointed out that William’s reported decisions to distance himself from Harry add another layer of complexity to the situation.
In a recent interview, Harry remarked that he hadn’t spoken to Camilla in “a long time,” asserting that he harbors love for all his family members despite their differences. He emphasized, “I don’t look at her as an evil stepmother. I see someone who married into this institution and done everything she can to improve her own reputation.”
Amid these tumultuous relations, Camilla appears resolutely focused on supporting King Charles as he deals with his health challenges. Richard Fitzwilliams, another royal analyst, commented on the pressures the rift imposes not only on the king but on the monarchy as a whole. He noted that Camilla is unlikely to engage in reconciliation efforts with Harry and Meghan, as there is ongoing concern about trust.
Fitzwilliams explained that the king’s desire to reconnect is hampered by underlying issues of trust, particularly with Harry and Meghan. Insiders indicate that William has shown no willingness to extend an olive branch towards his brother.
As the divide deepens, commentator Helena Chard suggested that Camilla is striving to maintain focus on her responsibilities, saying, “She is more concerned with supporting her husband with his health challenges and demanding work schedule.”
Ultimately, Chard concluded, the responsibility to bridge the gap lies with Harry, who needs to build trust and dialogue with his family. “The ball is firmly in Prince Harry’s court,” she asserted.