Prince Harry may still be grappling with deep emotional wounds stemming from his childhood, particularly in how he was treated in comparison to his elder brother, Prince William, according to a royal expert. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams recently shared his insight with Fox News Digital, suggesting that Harry’s behavior and public criticisms of the royal family point to long-standing feelings of neglect and unresolved trauma.
Fitzwilliams noted that much of this was already laid bare in Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, where the Duke of Sussex opened up about his struggles growing up in the shadow of his brother. “Harry resented the way he was treated as a bit of a joker and the royal wild child,” the expert explained.
He added that Harry’s trauma was compounded by the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, when Harry was just 12 years old. “He felt traumatized by the death of his mother, and resentment about security issues stems directly from this,” Fitzwilliams said, pointing to Harry’s ongoing criticism of how the royal family handled his and his family’s safety.
“This was very clear in his angry interview recently on the BBC,” Fitzwilliams added, referencing the Duke’s candid public appearances in which he has repeatedly expressed frustration with both the institution and the media. But Fitzwilliams also acknowledged the emotional toll the public fallout has had on Prince William.
“William undoubtedly and rightly feels betrayed by Harry as [the interviews and memoir] were so damaging,” he said. The commentator believes the core issue between the brothers now centers on trust, or the lack of it. “At the heart of this is the fact that he feels he cannot trust his brother or Meghan ever again,” Fitzwilliams added, describing the ongoing rift as deeply personal and difficult to mend.
Despite the tension, there have been signs of potential reconciliation. According to recent reports, representatives for Prince Harry and King Charles III met in London to begin the first steps toward repairing their fractured relationship.
While Prince William has reportedly remained distant, the meeting has been interpreted as a cautiously optimistic gesture toward healing. Prince Harry’s criticisms of royal life have drawn global attention, and his candid disclosures—both in his memoir and numerous interviews—have reshaped the public’s understanding of life inside the palace.
Still, experts warn that emotional scars from his childhood and the loss of his mother may continue to influence his decisions and relationships. Whether peace within the royal family is truly possible remains to be seen.
