If Prince Harry is to repair the damage wreaked by all the cruel jibes and howitzers fired from his Californian exile, he must restore links with his family and former friends in the UK. Ahead of his 40th birthday today, CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS analyses his relationship with 40 key people and gives a verdict on the chances of bridges being rebuilt…
King Charles: In his memoir Spare, Harry said witheringly of his father: ‘He had trouble communicating, trouble listening, trouble being intimate face-to-face’. But Charles has recently been taking ‘spiritual nourishment’ with regard to a possible rapprochement with his son. Unresolved issues concerning Harry’s security arrangements in the UK may prove a stumbling block. Reconciliation chances 4/5
Queen Camilla: Described by Harry as his ‘wicked stepmother’, ‘dangerous’ and a ‘villain’ who left ‘bodies in the street’ in her desire to change the public’s perception of her. Most likely to follow Charles’s lead. 4/5
Queen Camilla arrives at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles on September 20, 2023
Prince William: Harry’s name is no longer mentioned by friends his presence. Relations are so dire that any reunion would have to be effected while their father is King. 1/5
Princess of Wales: Reports that she’s been urging William to reconcile are off the mark. Being branded by the Sussexes as a ‘royal racist’ deeply hurt Kate, and she’s said to feel life is too short to invite further drama by speaking to Harry. 1/5
Princess Anne: Harry’s memoir tartly commented about some royals – interpreted as including his 74-year-old aunt – being ‘obsessed’ with trying to log the most public engagements. He wrote that they had ‘feverishly strived to have the highest number of official engagements recorded in the Circular each year. No matter what’. At the Paris Olympics she greeted an old friend, only to ‘turn on her heel’ once she realised he was still in contact with Harry. 2/5
Prince Andrew: His uncle and godparent. Harry appeared to decry the decision to allow Andrew’s continued taxpayer-funded security while his own was removed, saying: ‘He was embroiled in a shameful scandal, accused of the sexual assault of a young woman, and no one had so much as suggested that he lose his security. Whatever grievances people had against us [Harry and Meghan], sex crimes weren’t on the list.’ 2/5
Tim Laurence: Princess Anne’s vice-admiral husband was given a prime seat at Harry’s wedding, but the two men aren’t especially close. Tends to take his wife’s view on all matters. 2/5
Timothy Laurence the husband of the Princess Royal attends the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) service at Westminster Abbey in London, United Kingdom on March 4, 2024
Sarah Ferguson: Associates with Meghan as a fellow exiled royal bride. But having been newly brought back in from the cold by Charles, ultimately she’ll put The Firm first. 4/5
Prince Edward: Harry’s uncle acted as a human barrier for the Sussexes at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey in 2020 – preventing any awkward exchange with William. 2/5
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh: As a confidante of the late Queen, she was privy to all the troubles of Megxit. The Royal Family’s arch-diplomat would be expected to accept Harry back if it were deemed to be beneficial to The Firm. 2/5
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attends The Royal British Legion’s 80th Anniversary of D-Day Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on June 6
Zara Tindall: Anne’s daughter shares several South African friends with Harry, but is also close to William. She and Meghan are chalk and cheese and have never bonded. 3/5
Peter Phillips: Zara’s older brother was deployed to put some distance between Harry and William at Prince Philip’s funeral by standing between them as they followed the coffin – something Harry may find hard to forgive. 3/5
Princess Eugenie: The main Royal to have stood by Harry. She and her husband Jack Brooksbank have visited the Sussexes in Montecito – but not recently. 4/5
Princess Beatrice and husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi: Never especially close to Harry, although they attended society parties together. Staunchly loyal to her father, Prince Andrew, so Harry’s criticism of him may still rankle. 2/5
Lady Jane Fellowes: Princess Diana’s older sister. Harry flew to the UK last month for the Norfolk funeral of her husband Lord Fellowes. In May, she joined the Prince at a service for the tenth anniversary of Harry’s cherished Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral where they chatted together. In his memoir, Harry gave ‘stand-out thanks’ to her, and her elder sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 69, and their younger brother Earl Spencer – who were also both at the St Paul’s service. Harry stayed with his uncle last month. 5/5
Carolyn Bartholomew: One of the trio of young women who shared Diana’s pre-marriage London flat and got one of the best seats at Harry and Meghan’s wedding. 4/5
Lady Sarah Chatto: Princess Margaret’s wise daughter knows a thing or two about wayward behaviour. Harry’s godmother and when younger enjoyed a close relationship with Charles. Could make a perfect mediator for Harry as she rarely takes sides in disagreements. 5/5
Lady Sarah Chatto attends day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 15, 2022
Mark Dyer: Former Army officer who helped to mentor Harry, particularly after his mother’s death. He is said to have comforted Harry in recent years and was in the Invictus Games congregation earlier this year. His son – Harry’s godson – was a page boy at the Sussexes’ wedding and has stayed in touch with the couple since their move to the US. It’s said that ‘Marko’ can ‘always be relied on to talk sense into Harry and will be a stoic under-the-radar support’. In Spare, Harry wrote: ‘Of all Pa’s people, there was consensus that Marko was the best.’ 5/5
Arthur Landon: Film-maker son of an Austro-Hungarian princess who hosts Harry for shooting weekends and attended his and William’s weddings. Treads a fine line of being friends with both. Defended Harry after their trip to Las Vegas when the Prince was notoriously photographed at a naked pool party. With a home in LA, remains close to Harry. 5/5
Harry Aubrey-Fletcher: In William’s inner circle and godfather of his son, Prince Louis. His wedding to the niece of BBC presenter Edward Stourton was attended by Harry. Recently appointed by William as chairman of the Duchy of Cornwall’s rural committee. 0/5
Guy Pelly: One-time party boy who shared many high jinks with Harry. But no longer in touch. Also Prince Louis’s godfather, so now on ‘Team William’ – but would probably patch things up with Harry if needed. 4/5
Guy Pelly attends the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018
Tom van Straubenzee: William’s best friend and one of the first to recognise that Harry had ‘gone woke’ when he gave a lecture about some women finding menstrual products inaccessible. 3/5
Charlie van Straubenzee: The younger Straubenzee brother chose Harry as his best man for his wedding to PR girl Daisy Jenks, who became friendly with Meghan – keeping in touch during Megxit. 5/5
Alexandra Pettifer: Better known as the princes’ former nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, the 59-year-old is still close to her former charges and is godmother of Archie, Harry’s eldest child. 5/5
Duke of Westminster: Agreed amicably with Harry that the prince shouldn’t attend his wedding this year, lest his appearance overshadow the occasion. In touch with Harry during his trip to the UK last month. 5/5
Ellie Goulding: Singer who had a brief flirtation with Harry. They’re unlikely to cross paths again, although she is pals with his cousins. 5/5
Ellie Goulding attends the BRIT Awards 2024 at The O2 Arena on March 2, 2024
Thomas Inskip: Harry’s childhood friend, ‘Skippy’. Introduced a balding prince to his hair specialist. Despite it being said that he warned Harry off marrying Meghan, he was invited to their wedding – but was pointedly not asked to be godfather to Archie or Lilibet. 2/5
Jake Warren: Son of the late Queen’s racing manager. No longer one of Harry’s inner circle of UK friends. His daughter Zalie was a bridesmaid at Harry’s wedding and Harry is said to send her presents via a PA. 2/5
Jack Mann: Polo-playing ‘deputy’ best man at Harry’s wedding and spotted at a lads’ lunch held by Harry in London in 2021. 4/5
Alex Gilkes: Founder of an online auction platform and engaged to former tennis star Maria Sharapova, having divorced Meghan’s pal Misha Nonoo in 2017. 2/5
Other key players
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton: Ex-Army officer and former private secretary to Harry and William. Told a TV documentary in 2022 that he believed William will always put the best interests of the Monarchy before his relationship with his brother. 1/5
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton attends the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018
Paddy Harverson: Former royal aide who helped William and Harry navigate their early twenties. Unlikely to turn down any overture from Harry. 4/5
Nick Loughran: Former royal aide who skilfully liaised with Harry over whether the prince should attended the wedding of his client the Duke of Westminster, who is also said to have urged the adviser to strategise with Harry. 5/5
JJ Chalmers: TV presenter and Invictus Games medallist who, as a Royal Marine was injured in Afghanistan, and was a contestant on Strictly in 2020. Close to Harry through Invictus, joshed together at the Games last year and their sons are the same age and enjoy Octonauts cartoons. 5/5
Nick Scott: Old Etonian friend of the prince who spoke up for him in his Netflix documentary. 3/5
Ed Lane Fox: Invictus Games trustee with 15 years’ experience in reputation management – so a key figure for any reconciliation between the Sussexes and the House of Windsor. 5/5
