Prince Harry has revealed in a string of media appearances he wants tp reconcile with with his family. AP
The King has never given up hope of reconciling with the Duke of Sussex, The Telegraph understands.
Despite all of the recent revelations and allegations fired from California, Charles believes he will one day be reunited with his son and they will move forward, sources insist.
The two sides appear to have reached a stalemate, each keen to build bridges but convinced the ball is in the other’s court.
There is thought to have been no contact between them since the Duke’s memoir went on sale in Spain on Thursday, and other copies were leaked in New York.
However, those close to the King are aware that the “only way out of this mess” is reconciliation, however difficult. It is considered the only way of avoiding “open warfare” for years to come.
“The challenge here is not to build a mountain of resentment that cannot be bypassed,” one source said.
“In many ways, the royal family is no different to any other family and it will be their normality, rather than their uniqueness, which offers their greatest chance of reconciliation.
“Although Harry resents the role he was dealt within the institution, it is the fact that they are father and son that will bring them back together.”
There is thought to have been no contact between King Charles and Prince Harry since the Duke’s memoir went on sale in Spain on Thursday. Photo / AP
The Duke told ITV that his family had “shown absolutely no willingness to reconcile”.
However, the source said that it was the King’s view that they would reconcile.
“What father does not forgive their son?” he added.
Jonathan Dimbleby, the veteran broadcaster and friend of King Charles, also believes the King will be eager to heal the rift to try to move on.
Speaking on the BBC’s Today Programme, he said he believed the King would be “extremely pained, very frustrated and anxious” to reach a resolution with his son.
But Dimbleby also said: “If he [Harry] wants reconciliation, I don’t understand how you do it by metaphorically sitting in your Apache firing potshots at people who aren’t going to answer back, as he must very well know.”
Friends of the Prince of Wales have said that he is “anxious” and “sad” about what the Duke has said in the book but is focusing on his family, according to The Sunday Times.
One said: “He’s handling it so well on the outside; inside he’s burning.”
King Charles III and Prince Harry arrive for the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II held at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Photo / AP
Although William bears the brunt of the criticism, the King is said to be “no less hurt” by the claims about him and his older son, it was reported.
The Duke may have used his memoir to accuse his father of being distant and of failing to hug him in the darkest moments of his life but he also peppered it with tender anecdotes that convey genuine warmth.
Among them, he revealed that Charles often used to ask his son to write to him rather than call, as he “loved” his letters.
He referred to his son as “darling boy” and when the Duke confided that he had been suffering from panic attacks and anxiety, he sent him to a doctor before suggesting that it was his fault and that he should have got him help years ago.
The King also empathised with his younger son when photographs of his wild night in Las Vegas playing naked billiards were splashed all over a tabloid newspaper.
Although he was “bemused”, Charles said he too had “felt” exposed on many occasions and the Duke said they chatted that night about their unusual life for a long time, having found common ground.
The King would also leave notes under his son’s pillow and sit on the side of his bed until he fell asleep, knowing he was afraid of the dark.
A royal source said it was not surprising to anyone who knew the King that the Duke had presented an image of a sensitive, thoughtful man whose faults were solely attributed to his upbringing.
“It would have been odd if Harry had painted anything other than a tender portrait of his father,” they said.
“They were very, very close and it would be impossible to hide that reality if you wanted to write your whole history.”
The source said that while it was “not a reason to celebrate” the fact the Duke had not recast his father as part of the narrative, the “authenticity” of their relationship will be preserved.
“It may even prove the mechanism that brings them together,” they added.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are both expected to be invited to the King’s coronation in May, despite the various allegations made against the palace and family.
However, Harry cast doubt over whether they would attend, telling ITV in a forthcoming interview, that there was “a lot that can happen between now and then”. He added of his family that “the ball is in their court”.
