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11 photos show how Prince Harry's relationship with Prince Charles has changed over time

11 photos show how Prince Harry's relationship with Prince Charles has changed over time

Mikhaila Friel

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.Eddie Keogh/WPA Pool/Getty Images, Phil Harris/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry told Oprah his father stopped taking his calls before his step back from royal life.
Harry also said he was cut off financially during the Oprah interview in March.
Their relationship wasn't always this strained.

Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984. He appeared to have a close relationship with his father from a young age - here they are at their former Kensington Palace home in 1985.

Prince Charles and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace in 1985. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

However, the family's home life wasn't always a happy one. Charles and Diana's marriage went "down the drain" after Harry was born, Diana once said in audio recordings about her life.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Harry arrive at Sandringham for a photo call in January 1988. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Source: "Diana: In Her Own Words."

Charles would often abandon the royals' stereotypical "stiff upper lip" to comfort his sons. Here he is embracing Harry at a polo match in 1990.

Prince Charles with William and Harry at a polo match in 1990. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Charles walked alongside Harry and William at their mother's funeral on September 6, 1997. Harry was just 12-years-old at the time, while William was 15.

September 6, 1997: Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry, and Prince Charles walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral procession for Diana, Princess of Wales. Jeff J. Mitchell/Pool/AP

Harry supported his father at his wedding to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on April 9, 2005. Harry reportedly once said Camilla is not the "wicked stepmother" and that people should "feel sorry for her" because of the position she's in.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, after their wedding. Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage

Source: "Harry: Conversations with the Prince" by Angela Leven, cited by The Daily Express.

Meanwhile, Charles supported Harry in his military career. He presented his son with a flying badge at the Museum of Army Flying on May 7, 2010.

Prince Charles presents Prince Harry with a flying badge. Eddie Keogh/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Charles walked Harry's bride Meghan Markle down the aisle at St George's Chapel on May 19, 2018, after her own father was unable to make the ceremony.

Windsor, United Kingdom - May 19: Meghan Markle walks up the aisle with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle during her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. Dominic Lipinski/ - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Harry and Charles aren't just father and son - they used to be co-workers. The pair attended events together when Harry was a working royal, including the "International Year of the Reef" meeting, pictured below.

Prince Harry and Prince Charles attend the "International Year of The Reef" meeting at Fishmongers Hall on February 14, 2018 in London, England. Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images

They ditched royal formalities and greeted each other with a hug before the meeting began.

Harry and Charles greet each other with a hug. Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Their relationship took a turn for the worse after Harry resigned from royal duties in March 2020. Harry told Oprah Winfrey that his father stopped taking his calls shortly before his "step back."

Harry and Charles at their final royal engagement together at Westminster Abbey in March 2020. Phil Harris/Pool via AP Images

Source: "Oprah with Meghan and Harry."

Harry and Charles reunited at Prince Philip's funeral on April 17, 2021. It was the first time they had come face to face since the Oprah interview, where Harry also said he had been cut off financially from the family.

Members of the royal family at Prince Philip's funeral. Mark Cuthbert-Pool/UK Press via Getty Images

The current status of Harry and Charles' relationship is unknown.

The Prince of Wales' social media accounts shared a photo of Harry on Father's Day, which Harry's representatives declined to comment on when contacted by Insider.

Princess Diana's biographer Andrew Morton previously told Insider that Harry has a long way to before reconciling with his father and Prince William.

"You don't say that your brother's trapped and your father's trapped in the institution, which you were born into, and expect everyone to be all sweet," Morton said, referencing comments made by the duke during the Oprah interview.