King Charles and Prince Harry’s rift during Archie’s birth

King Charles and Prince Harry reportedly had a strained relationship around the time Prince Archie was born, with tensions between father and son already affecting their communication. A new account from a royal photographer has offered a glimpse into the difficult situation surrounding the arrival of Harry and Meghan Markle’s first child in May 2019.

At the time, Charles was still serving as the Prince of Wales, while Harry and Meghan were preparing to welcome their first child. However, despite the excitement surrounding the royal baby’s arrival, the family was experiencing a period of tension that appeared to keep Charles at a distance from his youngest son.

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards has recalled an incident from that period in his book, Cup of Tea, Arthur?, describing how he shared the first photographs of baby Archie with Queen Camilla. The pictures showed the newborn being held by his parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, shortly after his birth.

According to Edwards, Camilla showed genuine interest in seeing the latest addition to the royal family. After looking at the photographs on his phone, she asked whether he could show them to the prince, referring to Charles.

However, the photographer was quickly stopped by Julian Payne, who was serving as Charles’s press secretary at the time. Payne quietly advised him not to show the photographs to the future king.

The unexpected response left Edwards surprised, as he had not realised how serious the disagreement between Charles and Harry had become. Payne reportedly explained that Charles was not speaking to his son, revealing the extent of the strained relationship within the royal family.

The incident became particularly significant because Archie’s birth was supposed to be a joyful occasion for the family. Instead, the exchange suggested that personal disagreements were affecting even important family moments.

Charles was away on an official visit to Germany when Archie was born. Although the royal family was celebrating the arrival of a new generation, the reported communication difficulties highlighted the growing distance between father and son.

Relations between Harry and the royal family continued to deteriorate in the months that followed. In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back from their senior royal responsibilities. The couple eventually moved away from the United Kingdom and settled in California with their son.

Their departure marked a major turning point for the monarchy and attracted international attention. Harry and Meghan later spoke publicly about their experiences within the royal household, raising concerns about their treatment and the challenges they faced during their time as working royals.

In their television interviews, the couple also discussed concerns about racism and the comments surrounding their son Archie before his birth. Their revelations created further controversy and increased public interest in the ongoing royal family tensions.

Since leaving royal duties, Harry and Meghan have focused on building an independent life in the United States. They welcomed their second child, Princess Lilibet, in June 2021, expanding their family while continuing to maintain a complicated relationship with the British royal household.

The account of the incident surrounding Archie’s birth offers another reminder of how long-standing disagreements affected the relationship between Charles and Harry. What should have been a happy family occasion was reportedly overshadowed by tensions that would continue to shape their relationship in the years ahead.