The rift between Prince Harry and the Royal Family has reached a boiling point, with royal experts branding the Duke of Sussex as “treacherous” following a bombshell interview that aired on May 2, 2025. In the explosive conversation with the BBC, Harry unleashed a series of grievances against his family, calling his brother Prince William a “bully” and taking a swipe at the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, while expressing frustration over his father, King Charles, refusing to speak to him. The interview, which came after Harry lost his appeal against the decision to downgrade his taxpayer-funded security, has reignited tensions within the royal household, prompting experts to demand an apology from the Duke. As of May 12, 2025, the fallout from Harry’s words continues to dominate headlines, raising questions about the possibility of reconciliation and the impact of his actions on the monarchy’s future.

The interview was a raw and emotional outpouring from Harry, who described his court loss as a “good old fashioned establishment stitch-up” and claimed he had been “singled out” by the Palace. He hinted that some family members would “never forgive him” for his 2023 memoir Spare, which labeled Queen Camilla as “dangerous” and detailed personal conflicts with William and Charles. Among the most shocking revelations was Harry’s assertion that Charles, who is battling cancer, won’t speak to him over the security dispute. “He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff,” Harry said, adding, “I don’t know how long he has left.” He also expressed a desire for reconciliation, stating, “I would love reconciliation with the royal family,” but placed the responsibility on his father, saying, “It’s in his hands.”

Harry’s comments about William and Kate were particularly pointed. He accused William of bullying behavior, a claim that echoes past tensions between the brothers, including a 2018 confrontation over allegations of Meghan Markle’s treatment of staff, where Harry reportedly slammed the phone down on William after a heated argument. In the recent interview, Harry also criticized Kate, implying she and William were complicit in the Palace’s efforts to marginalize him. These accusations have drawn sharp criticism from royal experts, who argue that Harry’s public attacks undermine his stated desire for reconciliation. On The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, royal author Robert Jobson called the interview an “emotional outburst” and a mistake, stating, “He’s done so much damage. The big problem with Harry is that even if there was an attempt at a reconciliation with a private conversation, you can’t trust him that those conversations would probably become public.”

Legendary royal photographer Arthur Edwards echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Harry needs to take accountability for his actions. “All he needs to do is say sorry and that he’s not going to do it again, not going to betray the Royal Family again—he just got it all wrong,” Edwards said. He added that Harry had a chance to correct the narrative but failed to do so, further eroding trust. Jobson agreed, noting that a “straightforward apology” to Charles and William is essential for any hope of moving forward. “I really don’t know how the King can make the first move unless he can trust his son,” Jobson remarked, pointing to Harry’s history of public disclosures as a barrier to reconciliation.

The timing of Harry’s interview has also raised eyebrows. It coincided with Princess Charlotte’s 10th birthday on May 2, 2025, a milestone for William and Kate’s only daughter. Some royal insiders found Harry’s decision to air grievances on such a day to be in “poor taste,” especially given his comments about Charles’ health. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror that Harry’s hopes for reconciliation “may be a very long time in coming,” adding, “If he wants reconciliation, why does he still attack his family? If he did say sorry to his father and those he has hurt, he would be admitting he was wrong. Harry has such a weak sense of self he appears incapable of doing this.”

The interview’s aftermath has also drawn attention to the broader context of Harry’s strained relationships within the family. He and William are reportedly barely on speaking terms, a rift that began to widen when Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to Montecito, California. The brothers’ relationship has been further strained by Harry’s public criticisms, including Spare, which detailed physical altercations with William and portrayed him as jealous of Harry’s freedom as the “spare.” The memoir also recounted William’s initial reservations about Meghan, with historical accounts suggesting William warned Harry not to rush into the relationship, a caution that angered the younger prince.

Meghan’s own challenges within the Royal Family have also been a point of contention. Allegations of bullying staff surfaced in 2018, leading to a Buckingham Palace investigation whose findings were never made public. Harry has consistently defended his wife, calling the claims a “vicious campaign” in Spare and refuting them with a detailed report to Palace HR. However, the narrative of Meghan as a difficult figure persists, with some royal staff reportedly forming a “Sussex Survivors’ Club” after resignations in 2018. These tensions reportedly fueled William’s frustration, leading to the infamous 2018 confrontation where he drove to Kensington Palace to confront Harry in person after a phone call ended abruptly.

The public’s reaction to Harry’s interview has been mixed. Posts on X reflect a divide, with some users slamming Harry for continuing his “victim narrative” and failing to acknowledge his own role in the family’s discord. Others sympathize with his perspective, citing the Palace’s lack of support for him and Meghan, particularly in the face of racist media coverage. The BBC faced its own criticism for the interview, admitting to a “lapse in standards” after airing a one-sided segment with former close protection officer Richard Aitch, prompting a statement acknowledging the need for a broader perspective on Harry’s security case.

Harry’s actions have also raised concerns about his credibility within royal circles. In March 2025, he faced accusations of “harassment and bullying at scale” from Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chair of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded to support children with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Chandauka claimed Harry authorized a damaging press release without informing her, leading to her resignation and that of several trustees. While a source close to the former trustees called the accusation baseless, the incident further tarnished Harry’s reputation as a collaborative leader.

As the Royal Family navigates these turbulent waters, the question of reconciliation remains uncertain. Harry’s expressed desire to mend ties is at odds with his continued public criticisms, creating a paradox that experts believe only he can resolve. “He’s got to stop this talking about stitch-ups and things like that,” Edwards advised, urging Harry to show remorse and a commitment to change. Jobson added that without trust, Charles and William are unlikely to take the first step, leaving the burden on Harry to demonstrate sincerity.

The fallout from Harry’s interview underscores the deep wounds within the Royal Family, wounds that have been exacerbated by years of public disclosures and personal grievances. As of May 12, 2025, the path to reconciliation appears fraught, with Harry’s accusations of bullying and betrayal casting a long shadow over his relationships with William, Kate, and Charles. Whether he will heed the call to apologize and rebuild trust remains to be seen, but for now, the royal rift shows no signs of healing. Fans of the monarchy can only hope that time—and perhaps a heartfelt apology—might one day bring the brothers back together. What do you think Harry should do next?