Prince Harry is not close with the royal family, but fans had been hoping he was making progress in mending his broken relationship with his father King Charles

King Charles and Prince Harry aren’t close(Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

King Charles and Prince Harry have not spoken to each other in months as the pair “are distant,” according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex is thought to have reached out to his father in the hopes of mending their broken relationship, but it’s believed his efforts to communicate via letters and calls have gone unanswered. It’s also been reported Harry is not being kept updated on his father’s health after the monarch was diagnosed with cancer.

Royal commentator Sarah Hewson believes the lack of communication boils down to Harry’s legal battle over his security. Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office regarding the level of protection he receives while in the U.K.

Hewson said, “There is absolutely no way that the King could be seen to be intervening in this at all. Even any innocuous comment that could have been interpreted in a way and find its way into evidence in the court.”

Prince Harry and King Charles aren’t believed to be speaking(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking on the Royal Exclusive Show, the expert added, “The King can’t have conversations with him. And we’re learning that the distance between them is perhaps greater than ever.”

Hewson alleged Harry and Charles haven’t seen each other since February last year, when the monarch’s cancer diagnosis was announced. Following the news, Harry rushed to the U.K. from America and enjoyed a 30-minute meeting with his father.

Citing sources, Hewson suggested Harry “only found out about his father’s recent visit to hospital through the media.” She also claimed he “doesn’t know what his father’s prognosis is.”

Royal commentator Cameron Walker also claimed there is a “fundamental reason” why communication has broken down between the father and son. Echoing Hewson, he suggested it all comes down to Charles’ reluctance to become involved in Harry’s legal case.

“I think he may well have been advised that he probably shouldn’t take his son’s calls in case this court case is brought up, in case he’s forced to say something to Prince Harry,” Walker said.

He also suggested Charles might be worried about any private conversation with his son being “leaked to the press or published in a book.” Tensions grew between Harry and his family when he released a number of bombshell secrets in his memoir, Spare.