Royal biographer Ingrid Seward suggests that King Charles' reluctance to engage with Prince Harry's ongoing security battle stems from exhaustion and the complexities of his role as monarch. Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of "My Mother and I," told Fox News Digital that the King's position limits his involvement in government security decisions.
Seward emphasizes that unlike his time as Prince of Wales, King Charles must exercise caution as monarch and avoid interfering with government policy. This, she believes, explains his delegation of Harry's situation to others. While acknowledging that someone likely communicates with Harry, Seward speculates it isn't the King himself, due to time constraints, lack of inclination and the potential for a stressful conversation.
Harry's legal fight for U.K. security, lost in April but under appeal, is scheduled for a 2025 hearing. He aims to facilitate visits for his family and engage with charities. This legal battle, coupled with health challenges within the royal family, including cancer diagnoses for both King Charles and the Princess of Wales, has further strained the monarch's capacity, according to Seward.
Seward highlights the limited support available to the King, with the "slimmed-down monarchy" potentially stretched too thin. People magazine reports that the security dispute significantly contributes to Harry's estrangement from his father, with the King reportedly ceasing communication.
Harry's argument for reinstated security might leverage a case involving Taylor Swift, who received police protection during her Wembley Stadium concerts following a terror threat. However, Doug Eldridge, a branding expert, considers this comparison flawed, attributing Harry and Meghan's security concerns partly to their controversial departure from royal duties. He advocates for transparency in security assessments to address both sides of the argument.
During a May visit to the U.K., Harry reportedly declined the King's offer of accommodation at a royal residence due to security concerns. He believes his father has the authority to restore his security detail, citing his military service in Afghanistan and subsequent threats. A palace source, however, insists that the King has no control over such decisions.
