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Prince Harry has said he believes King Charles III's cancer diagnosis could bring the royal family together amid ongoing tensions.
In an interview with Good Morning America's Will Reeve, Harry said that through his work with veterans, he sees "on a day-to-day basis the strength, the family unit coming together." He added: "I think any illness, any sickness brings family together."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three-day visit to Canada, marking one year until the 2025 Invictus Games, which provide a global platform for wounded, sick and injured veterans.
The Context
The prince's comments are his first to reference his father's illness since he made a fleeting visit to the U.K. to see him on February 6. Asked about the brief meeting with the king, which reportedly lasted between 30 and 45 minutes at Clarence House, Harry told Reeve in the interview, which aired on Friday: "I love my family. The fact I was able to get on a plane and see him and spend any time with him... I'm grateful for that"
What We Know
King Charles was diagnosed with a form of cancer earlier this month, though which type has not been made public.
On February 5, a statement from Buckingham Palace said: "His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual."
Reports said that the king informed his family members privately of the diagnosis, after which Harry arranged his visit.
The prince's Good Morning America interview was given as he and Meghan Markle are visiting Canada where the 2025 Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, incorporating winter sports for the first time.
The visit comes as the couple have faced backlash in Britain for unveiling their rebranded website on February 12, which now refers to the "Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
Commentators have accused the couple of benefitting from their royal titles, despite splitting from the monarchy in 2020 and criticizing both the institution and royal family members in media projects since then. This led some reports to suggest the Canada trip was "make or break" for the couple.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Sussexes told British newspaper the Daily Mirror: "We've heard time and time again that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple. They're still here. They're still working and pursuing what they believe in, despite constantly being challenged and criticized. This couple will not be broken."
Views
Harry's relationship with his father has become the focus of increased public fascination since the prince's split from the monarchy and move to the U.S. with Meghan Markle.
In his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry said that at the time his father had stopped taking his calls. The father and son were reportedly reunited during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations a year later and were again reunited when the queen died in September that same year.
Harry came under criticism for revelations made about royal family members in his memoir, Spare, which was published in January 2023, namely stepmother, Queen Camilla, and brother, Prince William. At the time, Harry told Anderson Cooper he wasn't currently in touch with either William or Charles.
By the king's birthday in November 2023, the pair were reported to have engaged in a warm telephone exchange, with further reports that relations were thawing at the time Harry dropped what he was doing to visit his father following his cancer diagnosis.
Despite this, commentators continue to criticize Harry in relation to his family members. In a recent episode of Newsweek's The Royal Report podcast, chief royal correspondent Jack Royston highlighted the hostility towards the prince from the media.
Royston said that Harry would be "criticized in the media if he doesn't" mention Charles' illness during his Canadian visit. However, he added that he "would also be criticized in the media if he does."
What's Next?
King Charles is unlikely to respond to the comments made by Harry in his interview. Buckingham Palace has adopted a "no comment" position in regards to a number of the prince's most-recent media appearances and projects, notably his January 2023 memoir, Spare.
Newsweek approached Buckingham Palace via email for comment.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more