Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to reconsider their approach toward the Royal Family if they want to resolve the ongoing rift, according to a former royal aide.
Grant Harrold, who served as a butler to King Charles for several years, shared his candid views in an interview with GB News. He argued that the stalemate between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of the monarchy will likely continue unless the couple takes steps to alter the way they present themselves and their grievances.
When asked if he had any advice for Harry and Meghan, Harrold initially joked, “Speak to Elon Musk, get a rocket to go to the moon.” Quickly shifting to a serious tone, he added, “No, I think they’ve got to change the narrative. I think they’ve got to change how they do things and just become more… Look, I’m not saying they’ve not got strong feelings, I know they have, but somebody’s got to back down.”
Harrold emphasized that the responsibility for compromise rests largely with the Sussexes, as he does not believe King Charles or the Royal Household will make concessions. “The King, you know, the household, they’re not going to obviously back down,” he said.
He warned that without a shift in strategy, the situation would remain gridlocked. “So I think what they’ve got to do is… I’m not saying that it’s right or wrong, they’ve got to do something, otherwise it’s just going to keep clashing,” Harrold explained. “So they have to do something in order for it to go forward. Otherwise, it’s just going to be a mess. You don’t go forward.”
The comments come amid continuing speculation about strained relations between Harry, Meghan, and the Royal Family. Since stepping down from official duties in 2020, the couple has spoken publicly about their difficulties with the monarchy, including in high-profile interviews and Harry’s memoir.
While supporters of the Sussexes argue they have a right to share their experiences, critics contend that their repeated disclosures have deepened the divide with Buckingham Palace. Harrold’s remarks highlight the challenge of finding common ground when neither side appears willing to make the first move.
Whether or not the couple takes his advice remains to be seen, but Harrold’s assessment underscores a growing consensus among royal watchers: that without a change in tone or approach, reconciliation will remain out of reach.