Royal expert cautions monarch as public feud threatens to damage reign's legacy
King Charles is facing renewed pressure to address the ongoing tensions with Prince Harry, as royal experts warn that the escalating rift could cast a lasting shadow over his reign.
The warning follows a series of events that have reignited public focus on the strained relationship between father and son—including Prince Harry’s recent interview with the BBC and the fallout from his legal battle over personal security in the UK.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that the monarchy is suffering reputational harm, even if not structurally affected. “Charles’s reign is not being overshadowed by the feud, but it is being damaged by it because of the huge amount of publicity,” he said.
He noted that in Harry’s interview, the Duke of Sussex came across as “angry and pretty gutted,” adding that any further public criticism by Harry and Meghan would pose a “serious problem for the royal family.”
This comes shortly after The New York Times published a sobering analysis, suggesting that the King’s reign risks being remembered less for national unity and more for personal conflict. The article described Charles as a "beleaguered father managing a messy brood" and stressed that the unresolved family division “could define his reign,” weakening his long-held messaging around tolerance and inclusiveness.
Despite Prince Harry expressing a desire for reconciliation—stating, “There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don’t know how much longer my father has”—experts suggest that words alone may no longer be enough to mend the damage already done.
Unless King Charles takes steps to defuse tensions and foster healing within his family, analysts warn the personal drama could continue to distract from his broader royal agenda.
