Prince Harry spoke to Dr. Gabor Maté over the weekend, and focused much more on his personal hardships than he did on his troubles with the Royal Family.
For many royal commentators, this was a welcome change of pace after the many explosive revelations the Duke of Sussex made about King Charles and Prince William especially, in his memoir Spare and in his Netflix docuseries with Meghan Markle.
"The latest interview by Prince Harry has a markedly different tone," royal historian Mok O'Keeffe (AKA @gayaristo) tells Marie Claire.
"Gone are the criticisms of his family and the story has now turned towards his own journey and recovery from trauma. Is this the result of PR advice or a natural evolution? I welcome this change of direction."
For O'Keeffe, there's an imbalance between what Prince Harry can say publicly now that he's no longer a working royal, and what senior royals can actually get away with saying.
"The members of the Royal Family that Prince Harry has chosen to criticize to date have no real right of reply, and continuing to bash them in public can do nothing to repair broken relationships," the expert says.
"I think that this new narrative from Harry shows some recognition that he only has the right to talk about his lived experiences, and his journey. I hope that this less antagonistic approach will see him attend The King’s coronation in May."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams is somewhat aligned with O'Keeffe with regards to the Gabor Maté interview.
"I don't thing this will change things," Fitzwilliams previously told the Daily Mail.
"Things are bad, there is a serious rift. The best that can be said is that this didn't make things worse."
The expert added, "There was no direct attack on the monarch and there was also, although it was all in the background—the past he was escaping from—there was no direct attack at all on any member of the Royal Family.
"I think there will be a lot of relief and thanks."
Meanwhile, the Sussexes have confirmed that they were invited to the coronation, though they refused to say whether or not they would attend. Sigh.
-
20 On-Sale Beauty Finds to Conquer the Winter SeasonIt's time to add some hydration to your routine.
-
Netflix Is Adapting One of #BookTok's Favorite Romances—Here's What We Know About Ana Huang's 'Twisted Love' TV SeriesCould this be the next 'Bridgerton' or 'Tell Me Lies?'
-
'American Primeval' Is Bound to Be Your First Netflix Obsession of 2025—Here's What to Know About the CastTaylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin led the gritty miniseries about a family's trek across the American West in 1857.
-
Princess Kate Isn't Always "Well Enough" for Royal Duties, but She's Learning to "Pace" Herself"She is looking after herself and is wise to do so," a family friend shared.
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Issue Statement on California's Devastating WildfiresThe Sussexes addressed the disaster, which is "affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life."
-
Meghan Markle Shares Her Most Personal Instagram Post Yet—Including Rare Glimpses of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—After Their Beloved Dog Dies"Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you’ll never know."
-
Meghan Markle's Actual Kitchen Isn't Featured in Her Netflix Show—Here's What We Know About Her Real HomeThe Sussexes seem to favor a muted color scheme.
-
Why Prince Andrew Has Been Reported to the Police Over a Fake Name and Business VentureGet ready to meet the royal's alter ego, "Andrew Inverness."
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Daughter Lilibet Has Already Entered Her "Princess Phase"The Sussexes are very "down-to-earth" parents, according to a family friend.
-
Prince William Views This Royal Family Member as a "Brother" and Someone He Can "Always Rely On""There's no doubt Wills sees him as the brother he lost."
-
Why the Royal Family's Annual Income Is Increasing by $56 Million in 2025The royals will receive a whopping $165 million, which critics have called "scandalous."
