In an exclusive interview with CBS News partner network BBC News, Prince Harry stated on Friday that he “would love reconciliation” with members of the royal family. He revealed that his father, King Charles, has not spoken with him during a legal battle over reducing Harry’s British government security detail.
Harry was “devastated” by Friday’s U.K. High Court decision rejecting his appeal in the case, which he said makes it “impossible” for him to bring his family back to the UK.
“I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point,” Harry told the news agency. “Yes, I miss parts of the United Kingdom. And I think it’s very sad that I won’t be able to show my children.”
Harry, his wife Meghan, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, now reside in California. Harry explained that the initial decision to remove his automatic security entitlement was due to his stepping down as a senior member of the royal family in 2020.
“This is primarily a family dispute. And it saddens me that we’re sitting here today, five years later, where a decision was made, most likely — in fact, I know — to keep us under their roof,” Harry told the BBC. “But then they realized that wasn’t going to work, that, you know, myself, my wife, and my children are happier outside of the institution, so please look at the facts. Consider the risks. Consider the threat. Consider the impact. If anything were to happen to me, my wife, or my father’s grandchildren, where would the responsibility lie? So this is a complete disregard for the duty of care.”
On Friday, the Court of Appeal in England and Wales dismissed Harry’s case, which concerned how an official committee decided to remove his full-scale, automatic security in 2020. Other senior royals enjoy similar protection.
The court stated that the committee, known as Ravec, deviated from policy when making its decision, but that it was “sensible” in doing so given Harry’s specific circumstances.
Harry stated that he can only return to the United Kingdom safely if he is invited by the royal family, as he does not receive adequate security otherwise.
“Everyone knew they were putting us at risk in 2020, and they hoped that knowing that risk would compel us to return. But what if you realize that didn’t work? Do you not want to keep us safe?” Harry said. “Whether you’re the government, the royal household, whether you’re my dad, my family — despite all of our differences — do you not want to just ensure our safety?”
Harry claimed he has been cut off from his father, King Charles, who is being treated for cancer.
“I’d love to reconcile with my family. There’s no point in fighting anymore. Life is precious. I’m not sure how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security issue. But it would be nice to reconcile,” Harry stated.