Like many across the nation I watched that interview open-mouthed at Harry and Meghan’s claims - as this time they were discussing their family.
Yet things seem to have worsened. Harry and Meghan’s friend, presenter Gayle King, revealed that Harry has had talks that were “not productive” with both William and Charles.
Unfortunately, rather than mending fences, such claims completely tear them down.
Every aspect of the raw innards of this feud, from brother to brother, and father, are public.
No one wants their dirty laundry splashed around. The monarchy may be an institution but within it is the heartbeat of a real family.
What is your view? Have your say in the comments section
The road to healing seems very far off as there are even more questions about what’s going on between the brothers with Ms King’s claims.
At this stage, even if untrue, people will wonder if they’re briefing a friend to go public.
To begin healing, all family members must feel they have a safe space to have “their say”.
Only Harry and Meghan had access to Oprah. It doesn’t take a psychologist to know that William and Kate, and Charles would’ve felt indignant that it was very one-sided.
And it seems William and Kate have borne the brunt of recent revelations, coming under huge fire on social media when no one actually knows what they have or haven’t done.
All of these feelings of being hard done by, will only fan the flames of unhappiness between the brothers.
Because in family feuds every member believes they’re on the right ‘side’ of things. Issues don’t get healed, though, when you continue to see things as from different ‘sides’.
Instead, healing takes place when family members look at the common ground they share. This helps remind them of better times. It gives them something to aim for - to find more commonality - rather than shoring-up their ‘sides’.
I’d urge anyone in William and Harry’s situation to stop thinking about their own side of things and focus on the good and happy times they’ve had. They should be asking themselves: how can we get back there?
Also, playing the blame game never works and someone must step up, be the bigger person and accept where they’ve gone wrong.
If both Harry and William can do this, letting the other know what they wish they’d done better, that will be a great starting point.
Surprisingly Harry and Meghan haven’t learned the lessons of Thomas Markle sharing private correspondence with a national newspaper.
A distressed Meghan severed all ties with him although it seems the brothers are trying to talk and that is at least a fragile starting point.
As with any family I hope William and Harry can avoid tits-for-tat that only worsen things. And they shouldn’t allow pride to stop them doing the right thing and continue to reach out privately to each other.
If not, I fear William and Harry, who were once so close, will forever suffer from these events. And sadly, like many families, there will be empty seats where they used to join together for happy events like birthdays.
It’s time they start to ignore the public megaphone of he said-she said type of commentary and focus on each other.
Relationship expert, Dr Pam Spurr, of drpam.co.uk
