King Charles III was reportedly deeply affected by the public announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship in 2016. According to royal insiders, Charles felt “crushed” when the news broke, as it marked the beginning of a series of events that would lead to a significant shift in the dynamics of the royal family.
At the time, Prince Harry and Meghan’s relationship drew immense media attention, with the press focusing intensely on Meghan’s background as an American actress, her biracial heritage, and her previous marriage. The scrutiny surrounding the couple became overwhelming, leading to public concern over the treatment Meghan was receiving in the media.
For King Charles, the announcement of the relationship was a bittersweet moment. While he was happy to see his younger son in love, he reportedly felt uneasy about the media frenzy and the potential for conflict within the family. Charles had always hoped for a close-knit family, especially after the challenges he faced with his own relationships over the years, and Harry’s high-profile romance with Meghan brought a wave of new pressures.
The strain intensified as the couple’s relationship progressed. Harry became increasingly protective of Meghan, and tensions with the media, as well as behind-the-scenes rifts with other members of the royal family, began to surface. This culminated in the couple’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020.
According to sources close to Charles, he was devastated by the fallout that followed the couple’s relationship announcement. The subsequent “Megxit” drama, Harry and Meghan’s move to the United States, and their tell-all interviews, particularly the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021, only deepened the rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
Charles’s feelings of being “crushed” stemmed from his desire for unity within the family and his sadness over the growing distance between him and Harry. Despite attempts to reconcile, the ongoing public tensions and Harry’s criticisms of the royal family have reportedly been difficult for Charles to come to terms with.
For King Charles, the news of Harry and Meghan’s relationship in 2016 was a turning point that led to one of the most tumultuous periods in recent royal history. To this day, the impact of that announcement continues to resonate within the royal family as they navigate strained relationships and public scrutiny.
