King Charles is thought to be "frustrated" at the claim that he doesn't care about Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, insiders have alleged.
The monarch had hoped for a reunion with Prince Harry before his son's explosive TV interview aired on Friday night, according to insiders.
The Duke of Sussex lashed out following his defeat in a long-running battle over security, speaking to BBC News about the court result.
Harry, 40, claimed to want "reconciliation" with his family before suggesting the entire security issue "could be resolved through him". The prince also revealed that King Charles refuses to speak to him "because of this security stuff".
King Charles 'frustrated' at claim he 'doesn't care about Meghan, Archie and Lilibet'
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Sources close to the King told the Sun of Charles's "frustration" at suggestions that "his father doesn't care about his (Harry's) family".
The interview aired just minutes after insiders suggested a possible way forward between the pair depended on Harry's reaction to the court loss.
Speaking before the interview aired, an insider said: "But there is now a chance for his son to move forward rather than dwell on past grievances."
The source added that from the King's perspective, "the door has been shut by necessity while this painful issue played out through the proper judicial channels - but it has not been locked forever, nor the key thrown away."
King Charles and Prince Harry last met each other in February 2024PAFriends close to the monarch had raised the possibility of reconciliation prior to Harry's televised comments.
They emphasised that the King has always maintained this was a matter for the Government to handle.
"The King has always considered this was an issue for His Government and courts to resolve and that for him to intervene in any way would be constitutionally improper," they said.
Harry's security changes were introduced in 2020 when he stepped down as a working royal and relocated to the United States.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to California after they announced they would step back as senior working royals in January 2020NetflixThe King's frustration stems from what sources describe as Harry's "failure to respect this principle" regarding constitutional boundaries.
Royal insiders expressed that the monarch was particularly upset by suggestions that "somehow his father doesn't care about his family, or should step in, click his fingers, and demand a form of protection".
Harry's interview appeared to confirm these concerns as he "again raged against the State, the Royal Household, his father, brother William and stepmother Camilla".
His complaint had centred around the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which authorises security for senior royals on behalf of the Home Office.
Prince Harry had argued his case should have been assessed by Ravec's Risk Management Board, but this did not happen.BBCThe Palace responded to Harry's accusations with a brief statement, maintaining its position on the security matter: "All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion."
The King's position remains that this is a Governmental matter, while Harry continues to view it as a family issue.
With the Duke suggesting he cannot return to the UK with his family under current arrangements, the prospect of reconciliation seems increasingly remote.
The "raging prince" and his "frustrated" father appear no closer to resolving their differences following this latest public clash.
