Palace tightens circle as Duke’s BBC comments prompt backlash
Prince Harry has drawn strong criticism after publicly speculating about King Charles' health, leaving Buckingham Palace in a delicate position as it continues managing updates surrounding the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.
During a BBC interview, Harry expressed his desire to reconcile with his father but added, "I don't know how much longer my father has, he won't speak to me because of this security stuff." The comment sparked alarm, with many viewing it as inappropriate and conflicting with the Palace's more cautious tone.
Royal commentator Emily Andrews, speaking in Channel 5’s Harry: Can He Ever Be Forgiven, said the Palace was blindsided by the remark. "For Harry to go on national television and say that—when the Palace has been calmly stating that the King is ‘living with cancer’—created confusion and concern," she noted. "He’s shown he can’t be trusted with personal and sensitive details anymore."
Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich, echoed those concerns, warning that the Duke's words may have caused unnecessary public panic. "People are now asking if the King’s condition has worsened. That’s not the kind of speculation Harry should have triggered," she said.
In light of the incident, insiders suggest the Palace may further restrict Harry’s access to confidential family information to prevent future breaches, reinforcing his estrangement from the inner royal circle.
