According to a source within the palace, the newly crowned King feels "sad and bewildered" by the Duke of Sussex's legal campaign against a media group and his ongoing criticisms of the UK's institutions.
Prince Harry, who is currently estranged from the royal family, is embroiled in a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). He accuses the conglomerate of engaging in illegal phone hacking to publish numerous stories about him from 1996 to 2011, causing him considerable distress.
In a witness statement released last week, Meghan Markle's husband expressed his belief that the state of the press and government in England has reached "rock bottom," which he argues contradicts the constitutional requirement for the royal family to remain "above politics," as reported by The Sunday Times.
The King is reportedly bothered by Harry's rhetoric and ongoing accusations against his own family members. According to a source close to the palace, "The King brings Harry up every time I see him. I don't think we've moved past sad and bewildered, but there's a bit more frustration at his behavior because it just keeps going."
Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, stepped down as a senior working royal three years ago and relocated his family to California. He cited the pressures of their public roles and alleged biases against his wife, Meghan Markle, who is an American biracial divorcée.
During his recent short visit to the UK, the 38-year-old disgruntled royal did not meet with his father, Charles, or his brother, Prince William.
"I think he is seeking inner peace, and this becomes the target... he thinks if he can bring the media to heel, it will cure his pain. Sadly, I don't think it will. He's still defending his mother," remarked a courtier to The Times, offering another theory on Harry's motivations.
