Prince Harry’s ongoing legal battle with the press has sparked significant tension within his family, particularly with his father, King Charles.
Reports indicate that Harry is nearing a settlement in his case against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher behind *The Sun*,
but tensions have reportedly flared due to the advice he received from King Charles.
A royal expert recently revealed that Harry was not happy with his father’s perspective on the matter, as the King reportedly told Harry, “You won’t win.”
Jack Royston, the chief royal correspondent for *Newsweek*, shared his insights during an appearance on *Good Morning Britain*.
Royston explained that Harry’s relationship with his family, especially his father, has been affected by the ongoing legal issues.
“I don’t think he [Harry] will have discussed it with his family back in the UK,” Royston said. “His father used to tell him, ‘just ignore the papers, ignore them. You can’t win.’ And Harry was furious when his father told him that.”
This revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics between Prince Harry and his family, especially in the context of his legal battles. It’s clear that Harry’s relationship with the press has been a point of contention within the royal family, with King Charles taking a more pragmatic stance. According to reports, the King has always urged his son to avoid engaging with the media, which he believes is an exercise in futility. However, Prince Harry’s desire to seek justice in his case against the press seems to have led to considerable frustration, especially when it comes to his father’s advice.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is Prince Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William. In a witness statement from 2023, Harry made an accusation that William had accepted a payment from News UK to keep quiet about the press’s activities. It was reported that William received approximately £1 million from News UK, a sum that many saw as a quiet settlement. Harry’s statement highlighted the deep divide between the brothers, with Harry suggesting that his brother chose money over confrontation. The accusation was seen as a public rebuke, making the situation even more tense within the royal family.
Now, as Harry stands on the brink of a settlement with NGN, the optics of such an agreement may further complicate matters with his family. If Harry ultimately accepts a settlement, it would be a striking contrast to the stance he took in his 2023 witness statement, in which he criticized his brother for taking the payout. This has led to concerns about how Harry’s potential settlement will be perceived by both the public and his family, with some speculating that it will make things “awkward” between the brothers.
The legal case itself revolves around allegations of unlawful information-gathering, with Harry accusing NGN of engaging in activities such as phone tapping and other forms of privacy invasion during his time as a member of the royal family. The company, however, has denied these allegations, maintaining that no unlawful practices were carried out at *The Sun*. The case was set to begin at the High Court in London on January 21 but has faced multiple delays. On January 22, barristers for both sides confirmed that intense negotiations were underway, signaling that a resolution could be imminent.
NGN’s barrister, Anthony Hudson, stated that both parties were in agreement about the importance of the step they were taking and indicated that they were “very close” to a settlement. This comment further emphasizes the likelihood of a conclusion to the legal battle, despite the emotional and familial strain it has caused.
While the details of the settlement remain under wraps, it’s clear that Prince Harry’s legal battles have taken a toll on his relationship with his family, particularly with King Charles and Prince William. As the settlement draws near, the repercussions for Harry’s personal and familial relationships remain uncertain, and the royal family will likely be watching closely as the situation unfolds. Whether or not Harry’s approach to the press and the royal family will change after the settlement remains to be seen, but the tensions surrounding this case are likely to linger for some time.
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