Prince Harry's BBC interview shows 'ongoing struggles' with Royal Family and 'memories of Diana'
Prince Harry's recent interview with the BBC, following his latest legal defeat, was a deliberate attempt to send a strong message to the Royal family, says a consultant psychiatrist. The Duke of Sussex has been criticised for his comments made to the BBC regarding his loss of security while in the UK, where he targeted his father, the King, and even accused the Court of Appeal and the Government of a 'stitch-up'.
Harley Street doctor, Dr Raj Persaud, has weighed in on Harry's decision to go public, suggesting that the duke's emotional outburst was a strategy to communicate with Charles and other members of his estranged family. Dr Persaud said: "With other avenues of communication apparently cut off – he claimed the King will not take his calls – this was quite possibly a bid to garner attention on the public stage in a manner they simply cannot ignore, quite possibly a form of emotional blackmail."
Dr Persaud further suggested that the underlying message is that Harry will continue to speak out and share his grievances until he is taken seriously by his family. Dr Persaud also noted that the Duke seems unable to move past the issue, despite previously losing similar legal battles.
As Harry reiterated his stance repeatedly, Dr Persaud observed that he "appeared psychologically stuck, so convinced of the logic and morality of his position that he couldn't seem to grasp that, even if he is right, he is still not getting what he wants", reports the Mirror.
The psychiatrist concluded that Harry is likely still haunted by the tragic death of his mother, which is influencing his quest for security and affecting his decision-making process.
"Yet reacting to this latest legal disappointment by throwing fresh grenades seems like a hasty, ill-though-out tactic, and one which will certainly not serve to soften differences between the Duke and Palace," he said.
"He appears to be in difficulty and, I would suggest respectfully, needs help to move on and really start a process of rapprochement with his family. Sadly this is unlikely to happen though the prism of another angry media interview showing his apparently trapped mindset."
This sentiment is shared by Palace insiders, who believe that Harry's outburst will only further deepen any rift with his family. His remark about the King's cancer, where he stated that he "doesn't know how much longer he has left", was deemed to be in particularly "poor taste".
Harry, 40, spoke with BBC News on Friday, May 2, just a short time after a judge dismissed his legal challenge regarding his reduced security following his step back as a working member of the Royal family back in 2020.
In the recent interview, Prince Harry said: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore.
"Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has," he continued, referencing King Charles. "He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile."
Harry then stated that the problem with his security "could be resolved" through King Charles. "There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands," he said.
"Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts to do what is necessary."
The palace has repeatedly rejected the notion that the King can reinstate Harry's security detail. In reaction, a source disclosed to the Sunday Telegraph that this shows there is "nothing that can be trusted to remain private" and "as for their being no contact, well, he has just proven why, yet again".
And another insider told ITV News: "For a son who claims to want a family reconciliation, it's certainly a very curious way to build bridges or offer olive branches. His beloved grandmother would have been truly horrified. The King is a kind man with a warm heart and quite enough on his plate to deal with, without all this from his son."
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