A royal expert has claimed that Queen Camilla believes Prince Harry is taking advantage of King Charles’s softer nature, warning that the Duke of Sussex may be “playing him like a violin.”
In a report for Woman’s Day, commentator Phil Dampier wrote that Camilla remains fiercely protective of her husband and has grown wary of Harry’s attempts to reconcile. “She thinks the King is weak and there’s a danger Harry is playing him like a violin,” Dampier said.
According to one friend who spoke to the magazine, Camilla believes Harry should be the one to make amends. “Harry wants an apology for the way Meghan was treated, but Camilla feels it should be the other way round with Harry apologising to her, not to mention everyone else!” the source claimed.
The friend added that Camilla is conscious of the King’s difficult position. “She understands the King is in a tricky position and doesn’t want to upset her or William, but she also feels Harry is the one who caused all this.”
The tension comes in the wake of Harry’s recent meeting with his father, their first in nearly two years. The Duke of Sussex met Charles for tea last Wednesday, marking a small but notable step in what many see as an attempt to repair their strained relationship.
Harry last saw his father in February 2024, when he traveled to Britain shortly after Charles revealed he was undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer. While details of their most recent discussion have not been made public, the meeting was widely regarded as significant given the public nature of the family rift.
Observers say Camilla’s unease highlights the delicate balancing act facing the monarch. On one hand, Charles has expressed a desire to remain connected to his younger son, particularly as he continues his health battle. On the other hand, William and Camilla have reportedly been less willing to forgive, viewing Harry’s past criticisms of the family as deeply damaging.
The divide within the House of Windsor has been one of the most talked-about royal stories of recent years, fueled by Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and their subsequent media projects.
For now, insiders suggest the King hopes to keep the door open for dialogue. Whether Camilla’s concerns will complicate that effort remains to be seen, but her belief that Harry has caused lasting harm underscores how far the family still has to go before reconciliation is possible.