Prince Harry's comments about King Charles's health have deepened the rift with Buckingham Palace, with insiders suggesting a heartbreaking situation between the pair.
Palace sources claimed the Duke of Sussex's remarks have "done nothing to help build bridges".
His statement about the King's cancer, saying he "doesn't know how much longer he has left", was considered to be in particularly "poor taste".
"If there were anxieties about things remaining private, then Friday will not have done them the power of good," one source told the Telegraph.
King Charles left in heartbreaking situation as monarch ‘can’t speak to Prince Harry’
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Another royal insider told ITV: "For a son who claims to want a family reconciliation, it's certainly a very curious way to build bridges or offer olive branches."
Palace courtiers were reportedly "horrified" by Harry's blistering attack, questioning how such inflammatory comments could possibly help heal family divisions.
A friend of King Charles has now revealed that the monarch "can't speak" to his son due to a fundamental breakdown of trust.
"It's not that the King won't speak to him - it's that he can't," the friend told the Times. "How can you have a private and delicate conversation when you know it is going to end up on a news special within hours?"
Prince Harry told the BBC King Charles 'doesn't speak to him'BBC The source added: "Harry just sees conspiracy every time a decision doesn't go in his direction. He is like a gambler in a casino who can't walk away - he just doubles down."
This sentiment was echoed by Palace insiders who suggested Harry's latest outburst showed there is "nothing that can be trusted to remain private".
One insider pointedly told the Telegraph: "As for their being no contact, well, he has just proven why, yet again."
Royal commentators have suggested Harry's approach is counterproductive to his stated desire for reconciliation.
Following the verdict, Prince Harry did a TV interview with the BBC where he discussed his ongoing feud with members of the monarchy.BBCRoyal commentator Joe Little described the Duke's comments about the King's health as "quite alarming".
"I think for somebody who is seeking reconciliation with his father, his brother and his family, his royal family as a whole, I think the very last thing that he should have been doing was talking publicly," Little said.
He added that "there is a great deal to be gained by maintaining a dignified silence".
Ingrid Seward said Charles needs "total trust" and after the interview "he cannot rely on Harry for this".
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King Charles and Prince Harry last met each other in February 2024PAFormer BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggested Harry's hopes for reconciliation may be "a very long time in coming".
Alisa Anderson, former press secretary to the late Queen, branded his comments about the King's health "incredibly unhelpful".
The implications for Harry's relationship with the Royal Family now appear increasingly severe.
