London: Prince Harry expressed hope on Friday for a reconciliation with his family five years after stepping back from royal duties, during a period when their relationship has significantly deteriorated.
Here’s a timeline highlighting the family tensions since 2020:
2020
January – Harry and Meghan announce their decision to step down as working members of the royal family.
June – The couple relocates to California, Meghan’s home state.
2021
March – In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan alleges a royal family member made racist remarks and that she was driven to thoughts of suicide. Harry mentions that King Charles has ceased communication with him.
In response, the late Queen Elizabeth released a statement acknowledging the concerns raised, particularly around issues of race, indicating that while some memories might differ, they were taken seriously and addressed personally by the family.
June – Their second child, a daughter named Lilibet, is born, honoring a family nickname of Queen Elizabeth.
2022
August – Harry launches a lawsuit against his UK home office and Metropolitan Police concerning security measures since stepping back from royal duties.
September – Queen Elizabeth passes away while Harry and Meghan are in London, and they remain in the country for her funeral.
2023
January – Harry releases his memoir, “Spare,” which reveals details about his family dynamics. Notably, he recounts an incident in 2019 where his brother William reportedly pushed him during an argument regarding Meghan, describing William as labeling her “difficult,” “rude,” and “abrasive.”
He also mentions that he and William urged their father not to marry Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen.
May – Harry attends King Charles’s coronation solo, separated from senior royals during the event.
2024
February – Buckingham Palace announces King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, leading to a postponement of public engagements for treatment.
Harry is seen arriving at his father’s residence in London for a brief meeting.
March – Kate, William’s wife, shares that she is undergoing preventive chemotherapy.
2025
April – During an appeal regarding police protection, Harry’s lawyer emphasizes that his client’s safety is in jeopardy.
May 2nd – Harry faces a setback in his legal challenge over security arrangements. On the same day, he expresses a desire for reconciliation with the royal family, noting his father’s silence attributed to the security situation and the uncertainty surrounding the monarch’s health.
