King Charles in talks to break silence over Harry row with bombshell interview

28 January 2023 , 21:06

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King Charles could do a piece to camera as part of the BBC's coronation coverage (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

King Charles may be about to break his silence on Prince Harry as he prepares to do a landmark BBC interview.

Palace aides are discussing the possibility of the monarch using his chat to give his side of the story following a string of incendiary claims in his son’s memoir Spare and his Netflix documentary with wife Meghan.

If the Palace agrees to the interview, Charles could set the record straight on the Megxit drama, in which Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, stepped back as working Royal Family members.

Charles, 74, and Prince William, 40, and wife Kate, 41, have maintained a dignified silence following a stream of sensational claims.

They include Harry’s allegations of physical fights between him and brother William, a teary fall-out between Meghan and Kate over flower-girl dresses and the princes’ rocky relationship with Queen Consort Camilla, 75.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

Prince Harry and Meghan have made a series of bombshell claims about the Royal Family (Getty Images)

Beeb bosses want the King to do a piece to camera about his life and his plans as monarch, which would feature in their coverage celebrating his coronation on May 6. And the BBC could use veteran broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, 78, a long-term friend of Charles, to conduct the chat.

Palace aides are concerned about the line of questioning, it is claimed. But sources say the monarch is mulling over the interview offer.

An insider said: “Plans are already up and running for coronation coverage at the BBC, including the profile on the monarch. It is not the done thing to avoid subjects in interviews, so it makes matters tricky.

BBC veteran Jonathan Dimbleby is being tipped for chat with the King (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Harry and Meghan during their tour of Africa in 2019 (Getty Images)

“Even one small comment on Harry and Meghan would make worldwide news. It could also prompt a response from Harry, which would be unpredictable, like so much. Everything is very delicate.”

No matter what decision is made, sources say the Beeb is planning a profile of the King.

ITV has also asked for an interview but insiders say their chances are slim after Harry’s chat with the channel’s Tom Bradby, 56, earlier this month.

Princes Harry and William with Meghan and Kate (Getty Images)

And the BBC may have to tread carefully given previous royal interviews – like Prince Andrew’s disastrous responses to Emily Maitlis in 2019 about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Insiders stress that the Beeb wants to make sure the chat is positive for the King.

Charles has the option of dodging a pre-coronation interview altogether and instead releasing his own footage for use by the media. It would follow a similar path to his Christmas Day message.

The source added: “There remains an option for the family to simply produce a coronation speech or content they film and supply. It allows control over what is said and would not address the Sussexes.”

Janine Yaqoob