Prince Harry has once again found himself at the centre of royal controversy, this time after lashing out at British tabloids in the aftermath of a private meeting with his father, King Charles. The Duke of Sussex, who has long criticised the press for invasive coverage of his personal life, claimed that media distortion has worsened since he stepped back from official royal duties. The timing of his latest outburst has reignited debates over his role within the monarchy and whether reconciliation with the royal family remains possible.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford, speaking on 3AW Breakfast, weighed in sharply on the matter. According to Ford, Harry “can’t handle” the constant glare of media scrutiny. He argued that the Duke’s relationship with the press is now so fractured that a full return to royal duties is “impossible.” For many observers, Ford’s comments highlight a broader dilemma: can Prince Harry ever find balance between his personal grievances and the expectations of public life?
Harry’s Ongoing Battle With the Media
Prince Harry’s strained relationship with the British tabloids is not new. For over a decade, he has spoken about what he views as the destructive role of the press in shaping public perceptions of both himself and his late mother, Princess Diana. His criticisms intensified after his marriage to Meghan Markle in 2018, when the couple launched legal battles against multiple outlets for invasion of privacy.
The Duke has repeatedly insisted that intrusive reporting endangered his family’s safety, pointing to racist undertones in coverage of Meghan and relentless speculation about their private lives. His recent comments, however, came at a delicate moment—immediately following a rare private audience with King Charles in London. While Buckingham Palace declined to disclose details of the meeting, royal sources suggested the encounter was part of ongoing efforts at “gentle reconciliation” between father and son. Harry’s decision to attack the press so soon afterward has drawn mixed reactions, with critics arguing it undermines these fragile steps toward unity.
Why Ford Believes Harry “Can’t Handle It”
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford’s assessment was blunt. Speaking on Melbourne’s 3AW, he suggested that Harry’s continued focus on the media reveals an inability to cope with the realities of public life. “This is why he can never come back into the royal family again,” Ford declared.
The claim touches on a core issue: the monarchy’s reliance on constant media attention to maintain relevance. Members of the royal family endure relentless coverage in exchange for sustained public interest, charitable visibility, and institutional support. For Ford, Harry’s vocal rejection of this dynamic demonstrates incompatibility with the very system he once represented. “If you can’t accept that scrutiny comes with the job,” Ford implied, “you can’t do the job.”
A Broader Pattern of Frustration
Ford’s remarks resonate with broader frustrations among royal commentators who view Harry’s criticisms as repetitive. Many believe his complaints about the press, though valid in some respects, overshadow his charitable work and advocacy on issues like mental health and veterans’ welfare.
Critics note that while Harry has built a successful media brand through high-profile interviews, memoirs, and streaming projects, he often frames himself as a victim of publicity rather than a participant in it. Supporters counter that this perspective ignores the difference between consented exposure—such as Netflix documentaries—and unwanted intrusion into private family matters.
This tension illustrates the paradox at the heart of Harry’s public life: he relies on media platforms to amplify his causes while condemning the same industry for its invasive practices.
What the Meeting With King Charles Means
The private meeting between Harry and King Charles marked a rare personal interaction between the two since Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior royals in 2020. Analysts widely interpreted the meeting as a tentative gesture toward reconciliation, particularly given ongoing health concerns for the King.
Yet the fallout from Harry’s subsequent comments complicates that narrative. For those hoping the royal family could bridge its divisions, Harry’s renewed focus on the media felt like a step backward. Some experts argue the Duke’s habit of linking family issues with press coverage perpetuates the very cycle of headlines he claims to despise.
Still, supporters of Harry contend that his willingness to speak openly reflects courage rather than recklessness. They point out that his criticisms of tabloid culture are rooted in personal tragedy, particularly his belief that media harassment contributed to the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
Public Opinion and Royal Image
Public attitudes toward Harry remain divided. In the United Kingdom, opinion polls consistently show a decline in his popularity since “Megxit,” with many Britons expressing fatigue over his public grievances. In the United States, however, the Duke and Duchess enjoy stronger support, particularly among younger audiences who admire their independence from royal convention.
The latest incident may deepen this divide. In Britain, Harry’s clash with the press is likely to reinforce perceptions of him as out of touch or perpetually embattled. Abroad, particularly in markets where his projects like the Invictus Games and mental health initiatives have gained traction, his defiance may bolster his reputation as a reformer willing to challenge entrenched institutions.
For the royal family, the stakes are high. The monarchy’s future rests on its ability to adapt while retaining symbolic unity. Persistent rifts with Harry complicate efforts to project stability, especially amid global debates about the relevance of monarchy in the 21st century.
The Road Ahead: Can Reconciliation Happen?
The question now is whether reconciliation between Harry and the rest of the royal family is still possible. Ford’s assertion that Harry “can never come back” reflects a growing belief that the Duke’s path has permanently diverged from traditional royal duties.
However, history suggests otherwise. The royal family has navigated scandals before, from the abdication crisis of Edward VIII to the divorces of Charles and Diana, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and others. While those events weakened public confidence, the institution endured by gradually reintegrating figures once considered disgraced.
In Harry’s case, much depends on whether he can recalibrate his approach to the media. If he continues to frame himself primarily as a victim of press intrusion, opportunities for reconciliation may narrow. If, however, he shifts toward highlighting his charitable achievements and fostering dialogue, he could rebuild trust with both the monarchy and the public.
Lessons for Public Figures
Beyond the royal context, Harry’s struggle highlights a broader dilemma faced by public figures in the digital age. The line between public and private life has blurred, with constant scrutiny magnified by social media. Celebrities, politicians, and royals alike must navigate an environment where image management is inseparable from personal reality.
Harry’s situation underscores the importance of consistent messaging. When public figures decry media attention while simultaneously engaging in commercial projects that depend on visibility, contradictions emerge. Ford’s critique, though harsh, taps into this perceived inconsistency. For leaders, advocates, and influencers, the lesson is clear: credibility hinges not only on values but also on coherence between words and actions.
Final Thoughts
Prince Harry’s renewed clash with the media following his meeting with King Charles illustrates the deep challenges he faces in balancing personal grievances with public expectations. While Peter Ford’s remarks that Harry “can’t handle it” may sound dismissive, they reflect a widespread perception that the Duke remains at odds with the role he was born into.
The debate is likely to persist. For Harry, the path forward requires navigating a delicate balance—protecting his family’s privacy while engaging in public life in ways that align with his values. For the monarchy, the challenge lies in reconciling tradition with evolving realities.
Whether Harry ever returns to the fold remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the conversation around his role, his choices, and his relationship with the press will continue to shape both his personal future and the legacy of the royal family in the years ahead.
