Prince Harry has faced criticism from royal commentators after saying, "I don't know how much longer my father has", during an interview following his lost legal challenge over UK security.
Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to the late Queen, claimed Buckingham Palace will be "raising their eyes heavenwards" in reaction to the interview.
"Prince Harry is saying 'I don't know how long my father has' - that's going to cause real concern and more speculation in the media and the wider public about what his diagnosis is, which is incredibly unhelpful going forward," she said.
Anderson suggested that Harry's approach to reconciliation was misguided.
Prince Harry under fire for ‘fuelling speculation’ about King Charles’s health
BBC / Getty
"What you don't want to do is have your private life played out in the media. So if you truly want reconciliation, you'll do it in private, not in a BBC News interview," she told Sky News.
The comments come just hours after Harry lost his legal challenge against the UK government regarding his security arrangements when visiting Britain.
In the BBC interview, the Duke of Sussex expressed his desire for reconciliation with the Royal Family despite ongoing tensions.
"I would love reconciliation with my family, there's no point in continuing to fight anymore," Harry said.
King Cancer announced he was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024GettyHe added: "Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has, he won't speak to me because of this security stuff. It would be nice to reconcile."
The Duke claimed that King Charles refuses to speak with him due to the security dispute: "There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family."
Harry acknowledged that some family members may never forgive him for certain actions: "Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things."
He later claimed he had "forgiven" the Royal Family but identified the security issue as "the sticking point" and "the only thing that's left" preventing reconciliation.
The Duke of Sussex expressed his desire for reconciliation with the Royal Family in an emotional interview following his legal defeat over security arrangements in the UK.BBCHarry expressed strong concerns about his ability to visit the UK with his family following the security decision: "I cannot see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point."
The Duke described feeling "let down" by the ruling. He characterised the decision as "a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up" that sets "a new precedent that security can be used to control members of the family".
Harry suggested the ruling effectively imprisons Royal Family members who might wish to pursue a different life: "If, for me, security is conditional on having an official role - one that both myself and my wife wish to carry on, but then was rejected... by the Royal Household - and the result to that is you lose your security.
"That basically says you can't live outside of their control if you want to be safe."
Harry specifically called for Yvette Cooper to review Ravec and its membership
PA
The Duke's comments reflect his belief that the security issue extends beyond his personal situation to potentially affect other royals.
Harry indicated he would appeal to the new Labour Government to review the security decision.
The Duke said the situation was "initiated under a previous government" and stated he would ask Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to "step in".
He specifically called for Cooper to review the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) and its membership: "Because if it is an expert body, then what is the Royal Household's role there, if it is not to influence and decide what they want for the members of their household?"
