A close friend of Prince William has condemned the actions of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “absolutely vile” in the wake of Harry’s recent interview with the BBC.
The remarks came after Harry, 40, spoke out following the loss of his legal challenge regarding personal security during his visits to the UK—a topic that has reignited tensions within the Royal Family.
In the interview, the Duke of Sussex expressed frustration over what he described as being unfairly “singled out” when changes were made to his security arrangements in 2020—the same year he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States.
Harry suggested that King Charles had the power to intervene and resolve the issue, but chose not to. Despite his criticism of royal protocols and the institution, Harry also stated that he would still like to reconcile with his family, adding that he’s unsure how much time his father has left.
Though Prince William has not addressed the interview publicly, a source close to him told The Daily Beast that those within his circle view Harry and Meghan’s conduct as extremely offensive.
The source also claimed that Harry’s actions demonstrated a lack of genuine interest in reconciliation. “If he truly wanted to mend things, staying quiet would have been the wiser approach,” the insider remarked.
In response to the media frenzy following Harry’s interview, senior royals—including King Charles and Prince William—have maintained their public schedules and presented a united front, choosing not to engage with the controversy directly.
The relationship between the two brothers is thought to have been severely strained since the release of Harry’s memoir Spare in 2023.
In his BBC interview, Harry alluded to the lasting damage caused by the book, acknowledging that some family members may never forgive him for publishing it or for other actions he has taken.
He also cited the ongoing security dispute as a major factor in the family fallout, alleging that the King refuses to speak with him about the issue.
Following the interview, Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement. However, it avoided addressing the rift within the family or Harry’s personal accusations. Instead, the palace reiterated the court’s consistent rulings on Harry’s legal efforts to restore publicly funded protection during UK visits.
The statement read: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.”
