5 Ways Prince Harry and Meghan Markle May Still Be Sabotaging Their Chances of Reconciliation

While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem open to the prospect of a family reunion, some of their actions may not be helping the case. The duo returned to the UK and are trying to build a new chapter for their family, but some of their decisions could make it harder for them to rebuild trust with the royals. From the timing of their public appearances to Harry's continued revelations about his family, there are several reasons why a reunion may not be as easy as the Duke of Sussex hopes. And while the couple may not intend to create more tension, their actions could leave the royals with more reasons to keep their distance.

The timing of Harry and Markle's public appearances has reignited old questions of whether they are looking to upstage the royals. The couple's UK return came around the time Prince George began his new chapter at Eton, which was heavily criticized. Royal commentator Phil Dampier, in a conversation with The Sun, claimed the royal family was not at all happy about the diversion of media attention. "It's overshadowing it all. I think this is what the Royal Family is worried about," he said. Additionally, the Sussexes' first joint outing upon their UK return to Nottingham collided with Charles' historic opening of the Senedd in Wales, which yet again sparked backlash.

While the Royal Family likes to steer clear of controversy, Harry seems drawn to it, and his media interactions are only making a family reunion seem unlikely. He has repeatedly spoken about his difficult relationship with the Royal Family, and his recent interview with GQ highlights the exact problem. The Duke spoke about his relationship with Charles and William, his grief following Princess Diana's death, and his hopes for a fresh start. He said he wanted to leave past battles behind and hoped that he and the British press could "draw a line under that." However, the interview itself brought the family rift back into the spotlight. The issue is not necessarily whether Harry should speak about his experiences. Rather, it is whether repeated public discussions can help repair relationships that have already suffered years of tension. “Making public appearances and giving interviews does not make the situation any easier," opined Hugo Vickers to Page Six. He continued, “And even if Harry does not intend his actions to be a challenge, they will inevitably be interpreted that way, and that is unfortunate.”

Harry, in his recent interview with GQ, said he wants to reconcile with his family, but rebuilding trust may require more than expressing a desire to move forward. The Sussexes have stopped short of acknowledging how past public revelations have affected the monarchy. In the interview, Harry said, "The most important thing is to reconcile." He also acknowledged that "scars stick around forever" and encouraged people to let go of the past. However, he did not publicly offer a direct apology to William or any other family member during the interview; instead, his one remark caused quite a stir. "Some people don't want it to work out," he said, and many assumed it was directed at William. His spokesperson has since clarified that the remark was not for the future King.

Diana remains an important part of Harry's life, and the Duke has often spoken about how losing his mother affected him. His recent GQ interview also explored his grief, including his regret about rushing his final phone call with her when he was a child. He is reportedly also making a documentary about Diana's life to pay tribute on her 30th death anniversary. William was a part of Diana's 20th death anniversary documentary, but this time he is reportedly opting out to stop being “pitted against each other,” as per the Sunday Times. While Harry continues to revisit the past, the rehashing of the heartbreaking chapter has allegedly opened old wounds for William.

Harry has maintained a close relationship with his mother's side of the family, the Spencers, even as his relationship with the Windsors has become strained. While it was not an issue, it could become another source of tension now, especially given the release of Charles Spencer's new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. The Earl has made several explosive claims in the book that did not sit right with the royals, and it quickly became part of the wider conversation about where the Sussexes stand in the ongoing family dispute. The couple, along with their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, also stayed with the Spencers during their UK visit earlier this summer, raising eyebrows. The Sussexes already have a tough road ahead of them, and adding more public speculation about where their loyalties lie could make reconciliation even more complicated.