A new analysis of archival royal footage offers a fresh perspective on the bond among King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry. This challenges the narrative of a distant father that Harry has described in his memoir and interviews. A closer look at archival video from a 2003 polo outing suggests a far warmer dynamic than previously assumed.
Expert analyzes King Charles body language with sons William and Harry from old footage
Since leaving royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry has repeatedly spoken about feeling like the family’s “spare.” In his memoir, he wrote that he existed as a backup for his brother rather than in his own right.
However, footage from Anglesey in June 2003 tells a different story, according to body language expert Judi James. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said the strained relationship Harry described contradicts footage of the pair from that time.
In the clip, the trio discusses a polo match, with Charles praising Harry’s performance. The two brothers also exchange light banter, including Harry jokingly calling William a “spoon.” James noted that King Charles and Prince Harry appeared unusually close in the exchange. Charles even moved closer to his younger son and mirrored his body language throughout the conversation.
“Charles gives two different types of attention to his sons here,” James explained. “With Harry he appears gentle, caring and watchful but William is treated more like a fellow adult and equal.”
She added that Harry’s shyness in the footage may have resonated with Charles, who was often seen as reserved during his own youth. James said Charles pays his then-18-year-old son “individual and full eye-attention” and softens his tone to draw Harry into conversation.
This is not the only time Charles has expressed fondness for Harry. In a 2017 BBC interview, Harry recalled that he and his father, whom he calls “Pa,” would “talk for hours and hours” about shared interests.
The footage resurfaces as Harry has been trying to mend the rift with the royal family amid his return to the UK with Meghan Markle and their children.
Originally reported by Rhea Tiwari on Reality Tea.
