Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 21, 2025 · Entertainment

Royal Rumble: Prince Harry's Interview Reopens Wounds

When Harry visited The Hague to host the Invictus Games nearly in April 2022, it was assumed that the focus would remain solely on the event. But the Prince issued claims about his 'really special relationship' with the late Queen that left the Royal Family reeling

Drama Alert: Prince Harry's Explosive Interview Sets Off a Firestorm in the Royal Family

In a jaw-dropping move, Prince Harry has once again ignited a fierce debate within the British royal family with his latest bombshell interview. The Duke of Sussex made headlines when he claimed that it was his "duty" to ensure his beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, was "protected and got the right people around her." The comments were made during an intimate sit-down with NBC's Hoda Kotb in April 2022, just days after Harry had secretly visited the UK with his wife Meghan Markle.

The interview sparked a firestorm within the royal family, with many insiders accusing Harry of being "breathtakingly arrogant" and having "no bounds to his self-delusion." The Prince's remarks were seen as a direct attack on the Queen's security team, implying that they had failed in their duty to protect her. This claim was swiftly denied by Downing Street, which stated that the Prime Minister was confident in the arrangements in place to ensure the Queen's welfare.

During the 12-minute incendiary interview with presenter Hoda Kotb, the Duke made the declaration that it was his duty to ensure that his beloved grandmother was 'protected and got the right people around her'

But what sparked this latest controversy? According to royal expert Tom Bower, writing in his book Revenge, Harry's comments were a deliberate attempt to "play up" his so-called "special relationship" with the late Queen. Bower claims that the Prince was trying to maintain credibility in the United States, where he and Meghan have a lucrative deal with Netflix.

The interview also revealed a shocking aspect of Harry's personality: his inability to distance himself from his mother, Princess Diana. The Prince spoke fondly of her "constant" presence in his life, saying it had been more pronounced over the past two years than ever before. Bower notes that this is a clear attempt by Harry to "own" Diana's legacy and use it as a way to connect with his estranged family members.

But what really got people talking was Harry's claim that the US was now his "home." The Prince proudly declared that he and Meghan had been warmly welcomed with open arms, despite having only recently settled in Montecito. This statement is at odds with his previous submission to the High Court during his appeal process for special protection, where his lawyer stated that Britain "is and will always be his home."

Such 'inflammatory' statement implied, royal expert Tom Bower writes in his book Revenge, that 'King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince William and all of the Queen's staff were inadequate for the task'. These assertions resumed, Mr Bower added, 'the war' against his family

The fallout from Harry's interview has been severe, with the Royal Family seeking to protect the Queen from further speculation as they celebrated her 96th birthday. Buckingham Palace chose not to comment on the provocation from their Montecito-based grandson, but one well-placed royal source told The Scholarly Note that many felt Harry's delusion had "no bounds."

"It is the Queen's birthday and despite a difficult year people are working full steam ahead on making her Platinum Jubilee an event to remember that properly honours such a remarkable woman. She just doesn't deserve this," they said.

The drama has been ongoing for months, with Harry's decision to acrimoniously quit as a working royal and spend the past two years making damning accusations against his family causing great heartache for the Queen. One insider claimed that the late Monarch was "profoundly unhappy" with Harry and Meghan prior to their wedding in 2018.

During his interview with Hoda Kotb (pictured), Mr Bower claims that Harry attempted to 'own' the late Princess of Wales, by insisting that she was prioritising looking out for her youngest son from her grave. The Prince also proclaimed that the US was now his 'home'

The relationship between the Sussexes and the Royal Family has been strained since their bombshell tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, where they accused an unidentified person within the family of racism. The Queen was reportedly "dismayed" by the allegations, which she saw as a betrayal.

In a poignant moment, Prince William and Kate Middleton were forced to awkwardly dodge a question about Harry's claims during an engagement in London just days after the interview aired. When asked if the Queen needed protecting, they simply got into their car and drove away.

The tension between the two brothers has been brewing for years, with many insiders claiming that Harry's behavior is a clear attempt to "wreak vengeance" on his family. Royal author Ingrid Seward notes that the Prince has always struggled to communicate effectively with his grandmother, often coming across as "the joker."

When Ms Kotb asked if he missed his beloved family members, the Duke spoke vaguely, instead choosing to shift his answers towards an enhanced focus on his late mother, Princess Diana, the People's Princess (pictured holding Harry in 1985)

However, in a surprising twist, Harry's latest interview sparked a glimmer of hope for reconciliation within the royal family. The Prince spoke candidly about his desire to eventually reconcile with his father, King Charles III, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

"There is no point in continuing to fight anymore, life is precious," he said. "I don't know how much longer my father has - he won't speak to me because of this security stuff but it would be nice to reconcile."

Only time will tell if Harry's words are genuine or just another attempt to garner sympathy and attention. One thing is certain: the drama within the royal family shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

On the late Queen's 96th birthday and just days after the interview aired, Prince William and Princess Kate were forced to awkwardly dodge a question about Harry's claims after a broadcaster called out to the Royal couple during an engagement in London

Timeline of Events

  • April 2022: Prince Harry gives an explosive interview to NBC's Hoda Kotb, claiming it was his duty to ensure his grandmother's security.
  • April 2021: The Queen celebrates her 96th birthday amidst controversy surrounding Harry's claims about her security team.
  • September 2021: Prince Philip passes away after a long battle with cancer.
  • March 2022: Buckingham Palace confirms that the Royal Family will attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations without Harry and Meghan.

Reactions from Insiders

It echoed a similar moment just one year prior in which William publicly hit back against race claims issued by the Sussexes in their bombshell tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey

  • "Harry is playing up his so-called special relationship with the late Queen to maintain credibility in the United States. It's a desperate attempt to cling onto relevance," says Tom Bower.
  • "The Prince has been playing the victim for far too long, wreaking vengeance on his family and the press through the courts. It's a never-ending cycle of drama and attention-seeking," claims Ingrid Seward.

What's Next?

As the royal family navigates this tumultuous period, one thing is clear: the drama will continue to unfold. Will Harry and Meghan reconcile with their estranged family members, or will they continue down the path of acrimony and attention-seeking? Only time will tell.

Following the interview, one well-placed royal source told the Daily Mail at the time of the grave sense of shock at the Prince's 'breathtaking arrogance', making clear that many felt Harry's delusion knew 'no bounds'

Harry's decision to acrimoniously quit as a working royal and spend the past two years making a string of damning accusations against his family was understood to have caused the late Queen great heartache

Despite such concerns, the Prince, and indeed his wife, were in attendance at the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. But Harry and Meghan, alongside the Duke of York, were not allowed to appear on Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour

According to fresh claims from an insider who spoke to The Daily Beast, the relationship between the Sussexes and the late Monarch was fractured up until her death. Those who knew Harry were 'shocked' by his actions, particularly because his grandfather Prince Philip was 'on his deathbed' at the time of the notorious Oprah interview

Perhaps an indication that death and bereavement can help reunite estranged family members, the Prince recently poignantly touched on his father's cancer treatment and a desire to eventually reconcile with his family, stating: 'life is precious'