Relations between Prince Charles and Prince Harry have hit an all-time low, with Charles officially blocking his son after being deeply hurt by Harry’s recent actions.
The rift between the heir to the throne and the Duke of Sussex has widened following Harry’s repeated criticisms of the royal family, particularly after the Oprah interview and their withdrawal from public duties.
Tensions escalated further when Harry disclosed that he had cut ties with Mahfouz Mareh Mubarak bin Mahfouz a year before Prince Charles awarded the controversial Saudi billionaire with a CBE.
This public swipe at Charles regarding the donor involved in a cash-for-access scandal signifies the deteriorating relationship between father and son, now reaching rock bottom.
Prince Charles has faced mounting criticism due to his association with Mr. Mahfouz and the substantial donations the billionaire made to royal projects through his charitable trust.
The scandal led to the resignation of Charles’s senior aide, Michael Fawcett, as head of the prince’s foundation last month.
In a surprising statement, Harry distanced himself from the CBE scandal, expressing concerns about Mr. Mahfouz’s intentions and asserting that he had raised these concerns.
Harry’s revelation about his private meeting with the Saudi businessman, who contributed generously to charities linked to him, indicates unresolved issues between him and his father since the Oprah interview bombshells.
Angela Levin, a biographer of Prince Harry, remarked on the strained relationship between father and son, noting Harry’s continuous attacks on Charles despite his father’s love and hurt feelings.
Levin questioned why Harry did not return donations from Mr. Mahfouz if he was suspicious of the billionaire’s motives, especially considering his substantial inheritance from Princess Diana.
Sources close to Prince Charles revealed that he has maintained a dignified silence to avoid a public fallout that could impact his reign.
The rift deepened after Harry revealed in the Oprah interview that Charles had cut him off financially when he and Meghan decided to move to the US, causing significant emotional distress.
The Duke of Sussex’s remarks about breaking the cycle of pain from his childhood and his strained relationship with his father have added fuel to the ongoing feud.
Despite their last in-person interaction at Prince Philip’s funeral eight months ago, communication between father and son has been limited to tense phone calls.
Harry’s decision to sever ties with Mr. Mahfouz and his public statements have further strained his relationship with Prince Charles, who reportedly feels shocked and let down by his son’s actions.
The ongoing saga highlights the complexities within the royal family and the challenges they face amidst public scrutiny and personal conflicts.
