King Charles Reportedly 'Furious' as Harry Renews Push for UK Security Following Reunion
Just as King Charles and Prince Harry were taking baby steps towards burying the hatchet, old wounds resurface, threatening to derail their reconciliation. The Duke of Sussex has recently renewed his battle with the UK government over security, this time through a letter addressed to the Home Office Minister. Harry's persistence despite losing his legal case earlier this year, reportedly, has Charles growing weary. Commenting on the tense situation, a source claims the King feels ‘frustrated’ that the Duke has once again dragged the Firm into his drama.
Harry allegedly wrote to Home Office Minister Shabana Mahmood, without informing the Palace. Royal expert Rob Shutter wrote in his Substack that an insider had shared, "Charles felt betrayed. He thought they were rebuilding trust. Then Harry dragged everyone back into the drama." While the Duke reportedly insists that he is still a royal and entitled to security just like Prince William, the source bluntly put it, "But it’s not the King’s decision — it’s government policy." Another Palace aide echoed, "Charles is furious. He can’t change the rules, and Harry won’t stop pushing."
Harry’s appeal for security gained renewed attention last month when a stalker came 'within yards' of the Duke on two separate occasions during his UK visit. Reflecting on the same, an insider argued, "This isn’t about safety anymore. It’s about power — and Harry’s losing both." Another slammed, "Harry won’t accept he’s no longer entitled to taxpayer-funded protection. The King’s exhausted." The King is reportedly maintaining his distance from the situation, as in the past, with a royal insider telling The Sunday Times, "It’s not going to help matters. We’re back to where we were."
According to royal aides, Charles and his advisers had hoped that the Court of Appeal’s ruling against Harry, which maintained the decision to remove his police protection, would finally close the chapter. A Palace aide explained, "The King cannot and will not lobby — that’s inappropriate. His representatives cannot advocate for policy outcomes, particularly in relation to his own family." Meanwhile, those close to Harry reveal that his letter to the Home Office, sent before the stalking incident, was meant to reassess his security risk, something that hasn’t been done since before he exited the royal family.
Amidst the growing tension, Palace staff are reportedly worried that Harry’s actions paint Charles as either unwilling or powerless to protect his own son, neither of which helps the monarchy’s image. One shared, "If you put yourself in the mind of a father who is repeatedly told he should and could intervene, that is not very helpful. It complicates matters and shows a lack of understanding about the reality of the situation."
Harry and Meghan Markle were stripped of their state-funded security in 2020, when they stepped down as senior royals. The Duke has continued to argue that his unique public profile, as the son of the King, brother of the heir, and fifth in line to the throne, makes him a constant target.