Meghan Markle has shared a new family photo of Prince Harry and their two children after her husband’s bombshell BBC interview.
She shared a black and white photo of Harry with Lilibet and Archie as they walked through the garden of their United States home in a show of solidarity after the Duke of Sussex confessed his father wouldn’t speak to him.
The prince said on Friday that the King “won’t speak to him” because of his legal battle over changes to his security arrangements after he quit royal duties, adding in a bombshell BBC interview that he doesn’t “know how much longer my father has”.
He has since faced backlash from commentators and sources close to the royal family alike, with one close friend of the king saying Charles would speak to his son if not for the fear of their conversation ending up on a news special “within hours”, according to The Sunday Times.
It comes as the royal family prepares to put on a united front for the UK’s VE Day celebrations on Monday, where King Charles will be joined by senior royals and veterans for a grand military parade and flypast.
Key Points
- 'It’s not that Charles won’t speak to Harry – he can’t', says friend of King
- Meghan shares photo of Harry and children in apparent show of solidarity
- Charles seen for first time since Harry's explosive interview
- A 'dignified silence' would have been a wiser move, critic says
- Harry reveals Charles ‘won’t speak to me’ and wants ‘reconciliation’ with royal family
Meghan shares photo of Harry and children in apparent show of solidarity
08:52 , Tara CobhamMeghan Markle has shared a photo of Prince Harry and their children in an apparent show of solidarity with her husband following his explosive interview.
In the picture posted on Instagram, the Duke of Sussex is holding Archie’s hand while carrying Lilibet on his shoulders.
The trio are shown in black and white, walking away from the camera into a garden in a serene scene.
The image has been published by the Duchess of Sussex amid the fallout of Harry’s TV interview with the BBC in which he made a number of revelations, including that his father currently will not speak to him.
It marks the second time this week that Meghan has released a rare photo of the couple’s children.
In pictures: Coronation artwork commissioned by King
16:29 , Bryony Gooch
King to join veterans for Monday's VE Day celebrations
16:00 , Bryony GoochKing Charles will be joined by senior royals, military veterans and large crowds to witness the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The celebrations, involving a grand military parade and a flypast, will begin on Monday when London's famous Big Ben clock strikes midday and extracts from British war leader Winston Churchill's VE Day speech will be read out.
More than 1,300 members of Britain's armed forces will then process through central London from outside parliament to Buckingham Palace, watched by the king, Queen Camilla, Prince William and his wife Kate along with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and veterans of the conflict.
Ukrainian armed forces will also take part to show Britain's support for its war against Russia.
As the procession concludes, there will be a flypast by historic military aircraft and the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows aerobatics display team, watched by the royals from the balcony of Buckingham palace.
The royals will then host about 50 veterans and others who lived through the war for a tea party inside the palace.
WATCH: Prince Harry asks for 'reconciliation' with royal family in emotional interview
15:29 , Bryony GoochFive key moments from Prince Harry's interview after losing legal challenge over security
15:01 , Bryony GoochThe Duke of Sussex has revealed he "would love a reconciliation" with the royal family in an emotional interview after losing a legal challenge over his security in the UK.
Prince Harry claimed the King will not speak to him and he does not know "how much longer my father has", adding that the court battle over his security “is a family dispute".
When asked if Charles had been approached to use his influence in Harry's legal problems, the duke appeared to imply the King was a hindrance, a comment likely to deepen the rift with his father and his brother, Prince William.
The candid interview with BBC News in California came on Friday after losing an appeal over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK.
Rebecca Whittaker reports on the key moments from the interview:
Prince Harry's ‘jaw hit the floor’ when he discovered Royal Household rep sits on the Ravec committee
14:39 , Bryony GoochPrince Harry spoke against the committee responsible for keeping senior royals safe – the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) in his emotional BBC interview following his latest legal battle loss.
The committee decided he would not automatically receive comprehensive security when in the UK after he stepped down from royal duties.
But Prince Harry claimed the decision was made without carrying out a full review into the threats he faced.
He told the interviewer his “jaw hit the floor” when he discovered a representative of the Royal Household sits on the Ravec committee.
He claimed that enabled it to influence what security members of the Royal Family get.
Charles seen for first time since Harry's explosive interview
14:19 , Tara CobhamThe King has been seen for the first time since Prince Harry’s explosive interview in which the duke made a number of revelations about the pair’s relationship.
Charles was spotted being driven to St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk this morning, The Sun has reported.
The 76-year-old monarch is currently staying at the Sandringham estate.
Why this year's VE Day celebration will be extra special
14:03 , Bryony GoochFollowing Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, this year will be the first landmark VE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony that day.
Famously, large crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace in 1945 to catch a glimpse of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
The young Princess Elizabeth sneaked out into the streets to join the celebrating crowds and later spoke of being swept up in a “tide of happiness and relief”.
The King, Queen, Sir Keir and Second World War veterans will be on a platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
Members of the Royal Family are later expected to make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast.
'A curious way to build bridges' - royal insider speaks out following Harry interview
13:46 , Bryony GoochA royal source has told ITV News that Prince Harry’s latest interview will likely have done little to help him repair his relationship with his family.
They said: “For a son who claims to want a family reconciliation, it’s certainly a very curious way to build bridges or offer olive branches.”
Harry's hopes of ‘reconciliation’
13:29 , Bryony GoochPrince Harry has stressed that better security was key to repairing his relationship with his family in a bombshell BBC interview.
He said some members of his family would never forgive him for the book he wrote, Spare, in which he revealed a series of royal secrets.
“There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,” he explained.
However, Harry said he had now “forgiven” them.
“I would love a reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore,” he said. “I don't know how much longer my father has.”
The Duke of Sussex has seen his father, who is being treated for cancer, only once since his diagnosis early last year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla to make appearance on balcony during VE Day
13:04 , Bryony GoochKing Charles and Queen Camilla are set to make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the VE military parade on Monday.
The king and queen will also host a tea party for war veterans, their families and other members of the wartime generation in the palace gardens.
The 2025 VE Day commemorations will be the first to take place without any of the royals who appeared on the balcony 80 years ago.
WATCH: Should the royal family reconcile with Prince Harry? The public have their say
12:46 , Bryony Gooch‘I cannot escape being royal’ - Prince Harry
12:30 , Bryony GoochPrince Harry explained in his bombshell BBC interview that the security risks still remain the same regardless of whether he is carrying out his royal duties or not.
He said: “My status hasn't changed. It can't change. I am who I am.”
"I am part of what I'm part of, and I can never escape that. My circumstances will always be the same."
"I was born into these risks, they've only increased over time,” he added.
A timeline of events in Prince Harry’s troubled relationship with the royal family
12:10 , Bryony GoochPrince Harry’s troubled relationships with the British royal family, the U.K. establishment and the media have played out in public for years – in books and interviews, on television programs and in the courts.
The latest twist saw Harry give a revealing interview after a court rejected his attempt to restore the police protection that was stripped from him after he quit his royal duties and moved to the U.S. in 2020.
Here is a timeline of recent events involving Harry and the British royal family:
A timeline of events in Prince Harry’s troubled relationship with the royal family
Journalist opens up about interviewing Prince Harry following protections court battle
11:46 , Bryony GoochBBC Journalist Nada Tawfik has opened up about what Prince Harry was like after she exclusively interviewed him after he lost the latest round of his royal security court battle.
She said: “I found Prince Harry to be down-to-earth, softly spoken and easy to talk to.
“He didn't arrive with an entourage and politely introduced himself to us, shaking each of our hands. I was surprised that he knew I had flown in from New York to do the interview.”
She said they started with some small talk before the interview, and that when the cameras started rolling she found him “eager to share his feelings, despite the critical scrutiny that follows him.”
As she asked him about why taxpayers should pay for his security, Ms Tawfik said the prince “wasn't defensive or combative, and he wanted to address each of those points.”
What is RAVEC?
11:31 , Bryony GoochRAVEC stands for Royal and VIP Executive Committee, but it’s also known as Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.
Their role is to exercise executive authority for national policy for protection and royalty and VIPs on behalf of the King, Home Secretary and police.
Buckingham Palace responds to Harry's BBC interview
11:15 , Bryony GoochCommenting after the BBC interview, Buckingham Palace said: "All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion."
In pictures: Prince Harry and Meghan with their children
11:01 , Bryony Gooch
Timeline of Prince Harry's legal battle for protection
10:45 , Bryony GoochJan 8, 2020
Harry and Meghan announce they plan to “step back” as senior royals and become financially independent. The decision soon becomes a major rift, and the couple moves to Meghan’s native California.
February 2020
The committee that oversees royal security decides Harry will not receive the same level of taxpayer-funded protection as he did when he was a full-time royal.
Sept. 20, 2020
Harry launches legal action against the U.K. government over the security decision.
Dec. 5, 2023
A three-day court hearing begins on Harry’s claim over his security. Lawyers for the prince argue the decision to downgrade his protection was “unlawful and unfair.”
Feb. 28, 2024
The High Court dismisses Harry’s claim.
June 6, 2024
The Court of Appeal decision giving Harry permission to challenge the ruling over his security. is published.
April 8-9, 2025
Harry attends a two-day appeal hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, where his lawyers argue he has been “singled out” for “inferior treatment” over his security.
May 2, 2025
Three Court of Appeal judges dismiss Harry’s case, saying the security decision was “sensible.” Harry responds in an interview, saying the decision means he can’t bring his wife and children to his home country. He says he wants reconciliation with his family, saying ”there’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
RECAP: Meghan Markle says she and Prince Harry were ‘in the trenches’ when dating in subtle dig at royal family
10:09 , Bryony GoochMeghan Markle appeared to make a subtle dig at the royal family during her first-ever podcast interview a week ago.
Joining IT Cosmetics co-founder Jamie Kern Lima for an episode of her eponymous podcast, Markle opened up about life on the heels of her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, and the launch of her lifestyle and wellness brand, As Ever.
Markle, 43, married Prince Harry, 40, in 2018 after a brief engagement. They’ve since welcomed son Archie, 5, and daughter Lilibet, 3.
“You have to imagine, at the beginning it's all butterflies - but then we immediately went into the trenches together. Right out of the gate, like six months into dating,” she told Lima of the start of her relationship with the British royal.
“So now, seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way. And that's why I feel like it's more of a honeymoon period for us now,” Markle continued.
Meghan Markle makes subtle dig at royal family in first-ever podcast interview
Harry says treatment on security issues comes from 'same institutions that preyed upon' Diana
10:01 , Bryony GoochIn his latest statement following the court ruling, Prince Harry said that the same institutions causing issues in the protection case were the same people that preyed upon his mother, Princess Diana.
He said: “|It's true that I have been treated as an exception on this issue. The conditions of my security were not made based on threat, risk, and impact, they were made based on my role - one that my wife and I wanted to maintain, but that was ultimately refused.
“RAVEC's ability to make decisions outside of its own policies and the so-called political sensitivities of my case have prevailed over the need for fair and consistent decision-making.
“The court has decided to defer to this, revealing a sad truth: my hands are tied in seeking legal recourse against the establishment.
“This all comes from the same institutions that preyed upon my mother, that openly campaigned for the removal of our security, and that continue to incite hatred towards me, my wife and even our children, while at the same time protecting the very power that they should be holding accountable.”
Royals out tomorrow for VE celebrations
09:59 , Bryony GoochThe sacrifices of the Second World War will be remembered this week as the King and Queen lead the nation in events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
The words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech, spoken by actor Timothy Spall, will begin the VE Day commemorations, which will feature displays by the Red Arrows, appearances by senior royals and street parties across the UK.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Bank Holiday Monday to hear the performance of Churchill’s speech, as well as taking in a military procession and a flypast.
Read more here:
From Royals to Red Arrows – What to look out for during VE Day celebrations
King Charles's health timeline so far in 2025:
09:36 , Bryony GoochKing Charles continues to undergo cancer treatment more than a year on from his diagnosis.
Here is everything that has happened so far this year as he continues with his treatment.
27 January 2025
Parkrun participants in Sandringham met with the King after running for a cancer charity.
27 March 2025
The King had to cancel his royal engagements after he experienced “temporary side effects” following cancer treatment, which required a “short period of observation in hospital”.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.”
30 April 2025
The King released a written message saying his cancer experience had brought into “sharp focus the very best of humanity”.
The message to cancer charities said: “You have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude”.
He and Camilla hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace in celebration of community-based initiatives raising awareness about cancer and supporting those living with the disease.
Harry ‘calling court loss a stitch-up is offensive’, ex-protection officer says
09:20 , Bryony GoochThe Duke of Sussex’s claim that he is the victim of a “stitch-up” after losing a legal challenge over his UK security is “really offensive,” his former royal protection officer has said.
Ken Wharfe, who was a royal protection officer to royals including Harry, William and their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, believes the duke has “played the wrong card” regarding his security.
Harry can not expect the “all-singing-and-dancing protection that you had when you were in the United Kingdom” and was a working member of the royal family, like his father, the King, and his brother, the Prince of Wales, according to Mr Wharfe.
Watch: Should the royal family reconcile with Prince Harry? The public have their say
08:12 , Tara CobhamComment: It is hard to sympathise with Harry’s latest interview – yet he’s clearly deeply troubled
07:35 , Tara CobhamSir Geoffrey Vos’s judgment yesterday was delivered politely and calmly. Sir Geoffrey even recognised the concerns that Prince Harry believed he was facing.
It was no surprise that the judgment went the way it did: there is no reason why the British taxpayer should give Prince Harry security when he is contributing nothing to his country any more.
On the occasions in recent years that he has appeared in public – the Queen’s platinum jubilee and her funeral in 2022, he was perfectly well secured within the same security blanket given to the other members of the royal family and heads of state attending.
Hugo Vickers writes:
It is hard to sympathise with Harry’s latest interview - yet he’s clearly troubled
Prince Harry: Five key moments from the interview after losing legal challenge over security
07:00 , Alex CroftThe Duke of Sussex has revealed he "would love a reconciliation" with the royal family in an emotional interview after losing a legal challenge over his security in the UK.
Prince Harry claimed the King will not speak to him and he does not know "how much longer my father has", adding that the court battle over his security “is a family dispute".
When asked if Charles had been approached to use his influence in Harry's legal problems, the duke appeared to imply the King was a hindrance, a comment likely to deepen the rift with his father and his brother, Prince William.
The candid interview with BBC News in California came on Friday after losing an appeal over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK.
Here The Independent breaks down the key moments from the interview.
A 'dignified silence' would have been a wiser move, critic says
06:01 , Alex CroftA "dignified silence" would have been a wiser move for the Duke of Sussex if he wants a reconciliation with the royal family, a commentator has said.
After losing the latest round in his court battle over security, Harry, 40, told the BBC that the King will not speak to him and he does not know "how much longer my father has" left.
But Majesty Magazine's managing editor Joe Little said he has given them "nothing" by speaking publicly to suggest he can be trusted with their private information.
Mr Little said he found Harry's comments about the health of Charles - who is being treated for cancer - "quite alarming".
He said: "I think for somebody who is seeking reconciliation with his father, his brother and his family, his royal family as a whole, I think the very last thing that he should have been doing was talking publicly.
"He clearly feels aggrieved at the outcome of this legal action but there is a great deal to be gained by maintaining a dignified silence - sadly, as we know from from past events, this isn't Harry's way of doing things.
"Maybe lessons just haven't been learned from previous occasions where also silence would have been the very best thing to maintain."
Prince Harry calls on Prime Minister to intervene
05:00 , Alex CroftThe Duke of Sussex said there is “no way to win this through the courts”, and said he would not be taking the legal challenge against the government to the Supreme Court.
In the BBC interview he said: "I don't want any battles to continue.
"There is way too much suffering and way too much conflict in the world."
But he did call on the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary to intervene in how decisions are made by Ravec.
He said: "I'd ask the prime minister to step in. I would ask Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to look at this very, very carefully.
"And I would ask her to review Ravec and its members... because if it is an expert body, then what is the royal household's role there if it isn't to influence and decide what they want for the members of their household?"
Voices It is hard to sympathise with Harry’s latest interview – yet he’s clearly deeply troubled
04:00 , Alex CroftSir Geoffrey Vos’s judgment yesterday was delivered politely and calmly. Sir Geoffrey even recognised the concerns that Prince Harry believed he was facing.
It was no surprise that the judgment went the way it did: there is no reason why the British taxpayer should give Prince Harry security when he is contributing nothing to his country any more.
On the occasions in recent years that he has appeared in public – the Queen’s platinum jubilee and her funeral in 2022, he was perfectly well secured within the same security blanket given to the other members of the royal family and heads of state attending.
Hugo Vickers writes:
It is hard to sympathise with Harry’s latest interview - yet he’s clearly troubled
A timeline of the Duke of Sussex’s legal challenge over his security in the UK
03:00 , Alex CroftThe Duke of Sussex has lost an appeal against a ruling related to the level of taxpayer-funded security he receives while he is in the UK.
Last year, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane dismissed Harry’s challenge against the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
Ravec has delegated responsibility from the Home Office over the provision of protective security arrangements for members of the royal family and others, with involvement from the Metropolitan Police, the Cabinet Office and the royal household.
A timeline of the Duke of Sussex’s legal challenge over his security in the UK
Harry criticised for saying ‘don’t know how much longer’ Charles has left in TV interview
02:00 , Alex CroftPrince Harry has been criticised for saying “I don't know how much longer my father has” in an emotional TV interview.
After losing his legal challenge on Friday, the duke told the BBC: “I would love a reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don't know how much longer my father has.”
This comment has drawn criticism, with former press secretary to the late Queen Ailsa Anderson telling Sky News: “That's going to cause real concern and more speculation in the media and the wider public about what his diagnosis is, which is incredibly unhelpful going forward.”
Predicting that Buckingham Palace will be “raising their eyes heavenwards” in response to the interview, Ms Anderson added: “What you don't want to do is have your private life played out in the media. So if you truly want reconciliation, you'll do it in private, not in a BBC News interview.”
Loss of security protection makes it 'impossible' to bring Meghan and children to UK
01:00 , Alex CroftPrince Harry explained the security decision made it impossible for him to bring his family to the UK safely.
He added that he can’t see a world where his family would be able to visit.
“I miss the UK, I miss parts of the UK, of course I do, and I think it’s sad that I won’t be able to show my children my homeland,” he said.
'It’s not that Charles won’t speak to Harry — he can’t', says friend of King
Saturday 3 May 2025 22:33 , Alex CroftKing Charles would speak to Prince Harry if not for the fear of a “private and delicate” conversation ending up on a news special “within hours”, a close friend of the King has said.
Speaking to the Times, the friend accused Harry of seeing “conspiracy every time a decision doesn’t go in his direction”.
They added: “He is like a gambler in a casino who can’t walk away — he just doubles down. Even when he speaks of reconciliation, it is laced with threats and anger.
“It’s not that the King won’t speak to him — it’s that he can’t. How can you have a private and delicate conversation when you know it is going to end up on a news special within hours?
“Perhaps if he tried to earn rather than demand a reconciliation, things might go a little better for him. It’s just very tragic.”
There is "no point" in fighting anymore, says Prince Harry
Saturday 3 May 2025 21:15 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Duke of Sussex revealed there has been many disagreements between himself and his family - but he said he has forgiven them.
In the interview with the BBC he said: "There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious."
It comes after he stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California with his wife Megan Markle.
Prince Harry calls on Prime Minister to intervene
Saturday 3 May 2025 19:45 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Duke of Sussex said there is “no way to win this through the courts”, and said he would not be taking the legal challenge against the government to the Supreme Court.
In the BBC interview he said: "I don't want any battles to continue.
"There is way too much suffering and way too much conflict in the world."
But he did call on the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary to intervene in how decisions are made by Ravec.
He said: "I'd ask the prime minister to step in. I would ask Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to look at this very, very carefully.
"And I would ask her to review Ravec and its members... because if it is an expert body, then what is the royal household's role there if it isn't to influence and decide what they want for the members of their household?"
Palace insider claims Queen Elizabeth, would have been “horrified”
Saturday 3 May 2025 18:15 , Rebecca WhittakerA palace insider has claimed that Queen Elizabeth, would have been “horrified” by it all.
When the Duke of Sussex spoke in his BBC interview about King Charles refusing to talk with him over the security dispute, the palace reacted with contempt.
The royal source 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.”
“As for their being no contact, well he has just proven why, yet again”, a royal insider said. “There is nothing that can be trusted to remain private.”
'Some people want history to repeat itself,' Duke of Sussex warned
Saturday 3 May 2025 16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Duke of Sussex suggested his downgraded security status could cause “history to repeat itself” in an apparent reference to the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
Harry, who lost an appeal against the Home Office over the decision to provide him and the Duchess of Sussex with a “lesser level” of security than when they lived in the UK, told the BBC that during the legal battle, he had “discovered that some people want history to repeat itself”.
He said: “I don’t want history to repeat itself.
“I think there’s a lot of other people out there, and the majority that also don’t want history to repeat itself.
“Through the disclosure process, I’ve discovered that some people want history to repeat itself, which is pretty dark.”
The duke, 40, has previously used the phrase in reference to his mother’s death in 1997, when he was 12 years old.
Read more here:
