Prince Harry has said he wants to reconcile with King Charles and the rest of the British royal family, expressing hope that they can move beyond their differences after years of strained relationships.
The 42-year-old Duke of Sussex spoke about reconciliation in an interview with GQ magazine, saying family disputes were not worth prolonging amid the many challenges facing the world.
“With everything else that’s going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile,” he said.
Harry and his wife, Meghan, stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020, triggering a major rift within the royal family. The couple subsequently made public criticisms of the institution, while Harry’s relationship with his older brother, Prince William, the heir to the throne, has remained strained for years.
Harry’s family has only recently resumed contact with his father, King Charles. His spokesperson also clarified that Harry’s comments about people who did not want reconciliation to succeed were not intended as a criticism of William or any other family member.
Harry said family disagreements were something many people could relate to, including strained relationships between siblings, parents and children.
“Some people might be inspired by efforts to reconcile and this could help their own relationships,” he said, adding that he personally wanted things to work out.
“Scars stick around forever,” Harry said, but he hoped people could let go of the past.
“There’s enough drama in the world and enough drama in people’s lives than to continue with issues with family. It’s not worth it,” he added.
In the interview, Harry also discussed the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12, as well as his mental health struggles.
He explained that returning to Britain with Meghan and their two children had allowed them to experience a different way of life, particularly through attending school in the UK.
Harry said having his children attend a British school had meant a great deal to him, admitting he had not realised just how important it was until it happened.
“They’ve been in school for two weeks. They’re loving it and it’s just giving them a whole different experience,” he said.
Harry also expressed hope that his difficult relationship with the British press could improve. His disputes with the media were among the factors behind his decision to leave royal life, and he has pursued several legal cases against newspaper groups.
“My hope is that it will change,” he said, adding that some battles had been necessary but that he hoped all sides could now move forward.
He said he hoped he, his family and parts of the British press could leave past disputes behind and work towards the greater good.
