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Follow UsLondon: Once one of the British royal family's most cherished figures, Prince Harry is gradually distancing himself from both the UK public and his own family as he celebrates his 40th birthday this weekend. The younger son of King Charles III is currently living in California with his American actress wife, Meghan, and their two young children.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reside in the celebrity enclave of Montecito, located near Santa Barbara on the US West Coast, with their five-year-old son, Archie, and three-year-old daughter, Lilibet. However, their separation extends beyond just physical distance.
"He is entirely isolated. I don’t see him returning, even in a minor role... there’s no indication of any official capacity for him," remarked Pauline Maclaran from Royal Holloway University of London, speaking to AFP.
“The public lacks trust in him,” added royal analyst Richard Fitzwilliams.
Strained relations within the royal family
Harry's relationship with his family has become increasingly tense since he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to North America in early 2020.
Initial tensions flared following their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which the couple alleged that senior royals speculated about the skin color of their unborn child, Meghan, who has mixed heritage.
Those claims of racism led Harry's brother William, the heir to the throne, to assert that the royals were "very much not a racist family" when questioned about it.
Additionally, their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, notably expressed polite skepticism regarding Harry and Meghan's account of events, stating that "recollections may vary" and pledging to investigate the matter.
A potential pivotal break occurred early last year with the release of Harry's bold and candid autobiography, "Spare," which is set to be published in paperback in October. The book was perceived as an outright critique of the long-established royal family institution, which remains a significant aspect of British life.
It features extensive reflections on Harry's tumultuous relationship with his "beloved brother" William, 42, whom he labels his "arch-nemesis," as well as his father.
Experts consulted by AFP do not foresee a reconciliation anytime soon.
"Any differences with other royal family members would probably have been resolved by now if reconciliation had been feasible," stated Mark Garnett from the University of Lancaster in northwest England.
"The notion of a divided royal family only fuels unwanted media scrutiny."