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Family Therapist Addresses King Charles III and Prince Harry’s Estrangement
A family therapist is offering insights into the “heartbreaking” estrangement between King Charles III and Prince Harry. According to this mental health expert, the royal family feud highlights the challenge of balancing public perception versus private relationships.
Speaking exclusively with Us Weekly on Friday, May 9, Dr. Gail Saltz, a mental health professional, stated, “As a mental health professional, it’s a tragedy when the public perception takes precedence over the private relationship. Harry and William are the only brothers they’ll ever have. Charles is the only father Harry will ever have. These are essential human relationships.”
Dr. Saltz, though not affiliated with the royals, hopes the family can “privately talk about what they want in a relationship moving forward.” However, the public roles of Charles, 76, and Harry make such reconciliation complex.
“There are two different relationship lines here,” she explained. “There’s the public one because they are a working family, a royal family with a historical and tabloid place. And then there’s the private family relationship.”
Navigating the Public vs. Private Divide
Dr. Saltz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, noted that the royal family’s status can obscure the value of private relationships due to the “strict rules” governing their public image.
“Historically, if you break those professional rules, you’re out,” she said. “Part of the rules is that you don’t air dirty laundry or talk publicly about anything negative.”
While most families may not encounter the exact issues faced by the royal family, the dynamic can “mirror” the experiences of those dealing with estrangement.
“It’s very relatable. Unfortunately, many families go through estrangement,” she shared. “Siblings become estranged, parent-child relationships become estranged.”
Advice for Reconciliation: Focus on the Future
Dr. Saltz generally advocates “for doing everything possible to avoid estrangement,” except in cases involving “abuse” or “toxically destructive” relationships. Regarding reconnection, she advises focusing on the future rather than dwelling on past grievances, which can be beneficial for families experiencing a family conflict.
“It’s hard enough for families who are estranged,” she told Us. “Ideally, they would sit down and talk about what’s possible for the future, not just rehash the past. Harry could say, ‘Can we meet? Can we talk?’ King Charles likely won’t say much publicly. But can they talk privately? Express feelings like ‘I miss you’ and ‘I’m sorry for how I hurt you.’”
Charles and Harry’s strained relationship intensified in 2020 when the Duke of Sussex, 40, and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down as senior royals. Tensions further escalated after Harry and Meghan, 42, openly discussed their experiences with the royal family.
Prince Harry’s Desire for Reconciliation
Despite previous statements about his relationship with his family, Harry has expressed a desire to mend fences with his father. In a recent interview, Harry acknowledged his wish for reconciliation, citing concerns about Charles’ health amid his cancer treatment highlighting the urgency for family reconciliation.
“I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” Harry told BBC in May. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Harry also claimed that the monarch “won’t speak” to him amid his recent legal efforts to regain his and Meghan’s government-funded security, which they lost after stepping back from royal duties.
Legal Battles and Security Concerns
Harry appeared in court in April to appeal a 2024 decision; however, U.K. Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos dismissed the appeal this month.