Prince Harry was warned he needs to keep his feud with the Royal Family away from the public if he ever wants to reconcile with them. The Duke of Sussex has been estranged from the Firm ever since his stepped down as a senior working royal in 2020.
Harry’s ongoing rift with the royals has deepened even further following his various claims against them over the years, including in his memoir, Spare – released in 2023. More recently, the Duke spoke about the row with his family and said that he wants to reconcile with them during an interview with the BBC.
But a conflict expert said Harry’s choices have widened the divide and urged him to “break cycle of blame” if he really wants to reconnect with his estranged family.
Julie Cobalt told Hello! magazine: “Publicly criticising your family, especially in a memoir, virtually guarantees defensiveness and further distance. It also strips you of control over how your message is received.”
“If Harry’s goal was reconciliation, a better strategy would have been to work with a conflict coach or mediator. Reconnection requires honest conversation, not public narration.”
Ms Cobalt suggested the Duke may have turned to the public to feel heard, but warned him that such a move would likely not have a positive outcome.
She said: “Public sharing can feel like control and clarity, but it often replaces resolution with reinforcement. If your goal is healing, involving the public complicates the path,” she said.
“You also risk misinterpretation. Photos, headlines, or quotes taken out of context can inflame things further.”
She added: “Breaking the cycle of blame doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings. It means being willing to see the other person’s perspective, even when it’s hard.
“If you want resolution, you have to be willing to trade the spotlight for sincerity.”
