Expert says Prince Harry's BBC interview sends one 'clear message' to King Charles

Edinburgh Live

08-05-2025

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Prince Harry's 'another angry interview' with the BBC following his recent legal defeat was intended to send a clear message to the Royal family, suggests a consultant psychiatrist.
The Duke of Sussex has faced criticism for comments he made to the BBC regarding his loss of security in the UK, where he criticised his father the King and even accused the Court of Appeal and the Government of a 'stitch-up'.
Harley Street medic Dr Raj Persaud has now offered his perspective on Harry's decision to voice his concerns, proposing that this latest public expression was an attempt to communicate with Charles and other estranged family members.
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"With other avenues of communication apparently cut off – he claimed the King will not take his calls – this was quite possibly a bid to garner attention on the public stage in a manner they simply cannot ignore, quite possibly a form of emotional blackmail," he shared with the Express.
He suggested that the underlying message is that Harry will persist in voicing his grievances until his family takes him seriously.
Dr Persaud also pointed out that the emotional Duke seems unable to move forward, despite having previously lost this legal battle. As Harry reiterated his stance repeatedly, he "appeared psychologically stuck, so convinced of the logic and morality of his position that he couldn't seem to grasp that, even if he is right, he is still not getting what he wants", says Dr Persaud, reports the Mirror.
The psychiatrist concluded by suggesting that Harry is likely still tormented by the tragic loss of his mother, a factor that influences his quest for security and shapes his thought process and decision-making.
"Yet reacting to this latest legal disappointment by throwing fresh grenades seems like a hasty, ill-though-out tactic, and one which will certainly not serve to soften differences between the Duke and Palace," he stated.
"He appears to be in difficulty and, I would suggest respectfully, needs help to move on and really start a process of rapprochement with his family. Sadly this is unlikely to happen though the prism of another angry media interview showing his apparently trapped mindset."
This sentiment is mirrored by Palace insiders, who believe Harry's outburst will only exacerbate the rift with his family. His remark about the King's cancer, where he said he "doesn't know how much longer he has left", was deemed particularly "poor taste".
The Duke of Sussex, aged 40, spoke with BBC News on May 2, shortly after a judge dismissed his legal challenge regarding his reduced security following his step back as a working Royal in 2020.
In the recent interview, Prince Harry expressed, "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore.
"Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has," Prince Harry remarked, implying the unpredictable future of King Charles. "He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile."
Harry also suggested that his security troubles "could be resolved" by King Charles. He noted, "There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands," before adding, "Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts to do what is necessary."
Despite these assertions, the palace has regularly rebutted the idea that the King has the capacity to reinstate Harry's security. In turn, a source disclosed to the Sunday Telegraph their concern about privacy breaches, asserting there's "nothing that can be trusted to remain private" and hinting at reasons for the lack of contact: "as for their being no contact, well, he has just proven why, yet again".
Moreover, an informant conveyed to ITV News: "For a son who claims to want a family reconciliation, it's certainly a very curious way to build bridges or offer olive branches. His beloved grandmother would have been truly horrified. The King is a kind man with a warm heart and quite enough on his plate to deal with, without all this from his son."