Prince Harry “feels let down” amid the ongoing royal rift, with the “intensified bitterness” apparent, according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex stepped down from his role as senior member of the Royal Family in 2020. He and his wife Meghan Markle then decided to up sticks and move from Windsor in England to California in the United States of America.

Since moving across the pond, the Sussexes have seemingly distanced themselves from the monarchy, with the Montecito-based couple often working on projects where they disclose their opinions on what it was like to be in the royal fold. The Sussexes famously sat down with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, they then released a docuseries in 2022, and Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, hit bookshelves in 2023.

Earlier this month, Prince Harry jetted to the UK from the US in order to attend a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in the capital city. Before he touched down on British soil, it was speculated that he could possibly meet with his father, whom he has not seen since February when the King’s cancer diagnosis was revealed.

But Charles was otherwise engaged, according to a statement issued from Harry’s office, with the father-and-son duo not meeting up on the Duke’s brief visit to his former country of residence.

And now, according to esteemed royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, Prince Harry “feels let down”, with the “bitterness” within the estranged royals rather rife. He exclusively told The Mirror: “It has come down to a father, suffering from cancer, unable or unwilling to see his son, who is on a three-day visit despite being in close proximity in the same city.

“His son claims he wanted to see him. Both sides have briefed against each other as to why, security may be involved too.”

He went on to touch on the broken bond between Harry and William, noting: “Although we are not privy to private contact, there reportedly has been almost none between the brothers and the glare of publicity in the royal goldfish bowl has been ferocious.

“This has undoubtedly intensified the bitterness.”

Mr Fitzwilliams then concluded by saying: “Harry feels let down by the security arrangements, which he has unsuccessfully fought to change and also accuses the Royal Family of colluding with the press to their detriment.”