The strain inside the House of Windsor goes far beyond Prince Harry.
According to royal insiders, King Charles and Prince William’s relationship has become so distant that the two men “barely speak,” relying on staff to pass along most of their messages.
The rift, sources say, comes down to three main disagreements: modernization, duty, and health—issues made even more complicated by Harry’s upcoming visit to the UK.
Communication Through Staff, Not Family
Tom Sykes, royal correspondent for the Daily Beast, reports that Charles and William “do not meet informally as a rule” and spent virtually no time together during the royal family’s Balmoral holiday earlier this summer.
Instead, Charles largely “withdrew to the privacy of his own home, Birkhall,” steering clear of direct interaction with his son.
“The vast majority of their communication,” Sykes notes, “is mediated by their private secretaries.”
Sykes points out that the distance between father and son is rooted in history. William’s memories of his parents’ troubled marriage—along with Charles’ very public affair with Camilla—left scars that shaped their bond.
Charles has also faced criticism for being a “poor parent” who was often absent and remains somewhat detached from William’s children. These experiences, Sykes suggests, have deeply influenced how William views both his father and the monarchy itself.
Disagreements Over Modernization, Duty, and Health
Beyond Harry, the Scottish Daily Express highlights three key areas of conflict.
First, William reportedly feels his father’s reign is outdated. Sykes writes that William “thinks Charles’ monarchy has not modernized as much as it should have, and still radiates pomposity and looks out of touch thanks to Charles’s love of uniforms and ermine.”
Second, William disapproves of Charles’ relentless devotion to duty at the expense of his own health. The King’s determination to maintain a full schedule despite health concerns clashes with William’s belief that personal balance should take priority.
Third, Charles is said to believe William is neglecting his responsibilities as heir. Sykes claims Charles thinks William “is shirking the most basic element of the job: appearing in person all over the country, rain or shine, prioritizing family life over royal duty.”
Tensions Spilling Into Public View
These disagreements have already surfaced publicly. Earlier this year, William reportedly had to be urged to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, a duty Charles considered essential. He also declined to appear at VJ Day commemorations, frustrating some aides and courtiers.
Behind closed doors, one insider summed up the dynamic as “tense, difficult, formal, and fraught.” Yet William’s friends insist he still honors his role as heir. “He is a loyal soldier,” one said, adding that William continues to respect his father’s position.
But when it comes to Harry, that loyalty hardens into resistance. A friend told Sykes that William is adamantly opposed to any reconciliation, saying he believes “a Harry meeting is a terrible, terrible idea.”