Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from royal duties and subsequent move to the United States has been marked by a series of public criticisms aimed at the royal family. These criticisms, aired in interviews, documentaries, and a memoir, have now drawn harsh responses from some of Harry’s former friends.
In a recent interview with The Times ahead of Harry’s upcoming 40th birthday, several of his old friends voiced their disappointment and frustration with the Duke of Sussex. Their comments reflect a deep sense of betrayal, particularly in light of the couple’s decision to speak out against the royal family in high-profile media appearances.
One former friend expressed disbelief at Harry’s actions, saying, “I can’t believe he’d stoop so low. It’s outrageously disloyal. Oprah, Netflix, and then the book? Three strikes and you’re out.” This sentiment was echoed by another acquaintance who described Harry as “an angry boy,” suggesting that the prince’s public grievances stem from unmet expectations. “Things haven’t turned out how he wanted. I think he misses being over here [in Britain] desperately and wants to be admired more,” the friend continued. “Anyone who knows him feels he’d rather be top of the pops here with everyone loving him, as they do with William and Kate.”
The couple’s explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix series Harry & Meghan, and Harry’s memoir Spare have all contributed to the widening rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. In the Netflix series, Harry candidly admitted to missing his old friends, acknowledging that he had “lost a few friends in this process.”
Another source, who is reportedly close to both Prince Harry and his estranged brother Prince William, criticized the Sussexes for how they handled their departure from royal life. “Harry and Meghan could have left with dignity and decency and not trashed the institution. The conclusion is they’ve made money from trashing his family,” the source said.
The tension between the brothers was on full display during King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, the last time Harry and William were seen together. A recent article in The Sunday Times suggested that William does not wish to see Harry at his own future coronation, which will only occur after their father’s death.
Despite the ongoing tension, a friend of King Charles indicated that the monarch still holds hope for reconciliation with his youngest son. “The King’s capacity to forgive his son is undimmed,” the friend noted, adding, “There are other members of the royal family who are much more weighted against Harry, that’s the problem.”
As Harry approaches his milestone 40th birthday, the divide between him and his former friends—as well as his royal relatives—seems as deep as ever, raising questions about whether reconciliation is possible or if the rift will continue to grow.
