LONDON — The ongoing divide between Prince Harry and the British royal family has resurfaced, following a candid television interview in which the prince expressed a desire for reconciliation while recounting grievances against his relatives, the government, and the media. The discussion comes on the heels of a legal defeat regarding his security arrangements while in the UK.

During the emotionally charged interview, the 40-year-old prince revealed that his father, King Charles III, has distanced himself due to contentious issues surrounding Harry’s security. The crux of the disagreement lies in a recent court ruling that declined to reinstate his police protection after he stepped back from royal duties. Harry described this situation as primarily a familial dispute.

The prince’s estrangement from the royal family began in 2020, when he and his wife Meghan withdrew from their official roles and relocated to the U.S. This move followed allegations of hostile treatment and racism from both the press and royal institutions. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which included personal accounts and embarrassing revelations, further strained these familial ties.

In the interview, Harry stated that the decision to strip him of his police protection appears to have been influenced by palace officials. He accused them of placing his family at risk, suggesting that the intention was to pressure him into returning to the UK. Furthermore, he called on his father to grant more authority to experts in security matters.

Concerns about King Charles’s health added another layer to their relationship. The king, who is 76, has reportedly been undergoing treatment for a type of cancer, although Buckingham Palace has been reticent in providing details. Harry expressed uncertainty about how much time his father may have left, lamenting that their interactions have been limited since the king’s diagnosis. “The only time I come back to the U.K. is, sadly, for funerals or court cases,” he remarked.

Harry’s safety concerns extend beyond familial issues. As fifth in line for the throne and a veteran of the British Army, he has faced significant security risks, particularly since being deprived of taxpayer-funded police protection. He pointed out that other former public officials retain such protection indefinitely, creating a disparity that he believes endangers his family’s safety. He underscored the gravity of his situation by referencing past threats, notably from terrorist organizations.

Currently residing in California with Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, Harry lamented the lost opportunity to share his British heritage with them. He expressed a deep affection for Britain but fears for their safety amid ongoing hostility directed at him and Meghan. “It’s really quite sad that I won’t be able to show my children my homeland,” he stated.

Despite the bitterness expressed in his memoir, Harry indicated a willingness to forgive and bridge gaps with his family, including the press he has actively criticized. He emphasized that he wishes to move beyond conflict, hinting at a desire for a new beginning, although experts remain skeptical about the feasibility of true reconciliation.

Historian Anthony Seldon interpreted Harry’s comments as a signal for change, suggesting that the prince is looking to shift away from hostility. Conversely, Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, pointed out that Harry’s grievance over security matters complicates any chances for resolution. The road ahead may be fraught, with the past continuing to shape Harry’s narrative even as he yearns for peace within his family.