King Charles ‘exasperated’ over Prince Harry’s actions, according to new book

New details have emerged about Charles’ private reaction to his son’s behaviour in recent years – and whether or not he actually read Spare.

King Charles feels “exasperated” by Prince Harry’s behaviour in recent years, but is “too busy to dwell” on the family drama, according to a bombshell new book.

In Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, royal author Robert Hardman writes that the rift between the Duke of Sussex and the rest of his family, particularly his father and brother, Prince William, is not likely to be healed any time soon.

“Of course, the King is extremely sad about Harry and Meghan but there is a sense of exasperation, that he has done what he can and now he is King, there are many more things to think about,” Hardman writes, per the Daily Mail, who is serialising the biography ahead of its release.

He goes on to claim that Charles and William have refused to read Harry’s explosive memoir, Spare, which was released last January, and were instead simply briefed by aides on its main points.

Harry’s relationship with his father and brother is currently strained. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Hardman writes that the late Queen was “angered” by Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s decision to name their daughter Lilibet after her birth in June 2021.

The affectionate moniker had stuck during the Queen’s childhood after she’d struggled to pronounce her own name, “Elizabeth.” It was used only by her late parents, her sister Princess Margaret, husband Prince Philip, and closest inner circle.

Shortly after Lilibet’s birth, rumours began circulating the Queen had not given prior permission for her name to be used, but a law firm representing Harry and Meghan quickly fired off a statement to news organisations, including the BBC, suggesting the claim was false and defamatory.

“The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement – in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called,” the message read.

“During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”

New claims have surfaced about Harry and Meghan’s decision to use the late Queen’s nickname. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In his biography, Hardman shed new light on the Queen’s private reaction to the drama, claiming that the Sussexes’ media rebuttal appeared to fall flat after their attempt to collaborate on a response with the palace was “rebuffed”.

“When the Sussexes tried to co-opt the Palace into propping up their version of events, they were rebuffed,” one palace insider is quoted as saying.

“Once again, it was a case of ‘recollections may vary’ – the late Queen’s reaction to the Oprah Winfrey interview – as far as Her Majesty was concerned. Those noisy threats of legal action duly evaporated and the libel actions against the BBC never materialised.”