Queen Camilla is reportedly still harboring strong feelings about Prince Harry’s past criticisms, which some insiders believe could stand in the way of his return to the royal fold.
According to a report in Us Weekly, the Queen Consort has not moved past what she views as deeply personal attacks from the Duke of Sussex, particularly in his memoir Spare and in public remarks.
A source described her outlook during Harry’s visit to King Charles at Clarence House in London earlier this year. “He has been extremely unkind to her in print and in word, and she doesn’t forgive easily,” the insider said.
Another close friend of the King echoed those sentiments, suggesting Camilla’s feelings reflect a wider dynamic within the monarchy. “The royal family makes elephants look like they have short memories,” the friend remarked.
Speaking to People, Harry’s memoir, released in early 2023, portrayed Camilla in a particularly unflattering light. He wrote, “I had complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.”
“In a funny way, I even wanted Camilla to be happy. Maybe she’d be less dangerous if she were happy?” he added, fueling the perception that the relationship between them remains strained.
Although Harry later softened his tone in a television interview, his comments still reflected distance. Speaking to Good Morning America in 2023, the Duke of Sussex said, “I have a huge amount of compassion for her, you know, being the third person within my parents’ marriage.”
He went on to note, “We haven’t spoken for a long time. I love every member of my family, despite the differences or the difficulties that those relationships have put out. When I see her, we’re perfectly pleasant with each other.”
The contrast between the harshness of his memoir and his more diplomatic remarks on television illustrates the tension that remains unresolved. For Camilla, observers say, the sting of public criticism has not faded, and her position alongside the King ensures her feelings carry considerable influence, according to The Guardian.
Royal watchers suggest this ongoing resentment could complicate any future reconciliation between Harry and the wider family. While the Duke of Sussex has expressed affection for his relatives, insiders believe Camilla’s resistance may be the strongest barrier to healing the divisions that have defined the past several years.