Trump says Prince Harry’s treatment of Prince William was ‘terrible’

Trump says Prince Harry’s treatment of Prince William was ‘terrible’ US president says he would ‘not have taken Duke and Duchess of Sussex back’ if he had been King Charles - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Donald Trump has accused Prince Harry of treating his brother, the Prince of Wales, in a “very terrible” way. Speaking about the rift between the heir to the throne and the Duke of Sussex, the US president also accused Meghan Markle of being a “horrible influence” on Harry. In an interview with GB News, he said: "But I think that what she has done and him [Prince Harry], he wrote a book that was very terrible to William, it was terrible. "The things he said, I wouldn't...I mean, it's just me. I'm sure I'm wrong on this, but I would not have taken him back. I would have never spoken to him again." Prince William and his younger brother have had a strained relationship since the Sussexes decided to step down from the Royal Family in 2020 and relocate to California. It is believed they have not spoken in several years, and have not been seen publicly together since the King’s coronation in 2023. It is understood that they reunited privately at their uncle’s funeral in August 2024, but reportedly did not speak to one another. In his memoir Spare, Harry detailed the breakdown of their relationship, which he claimed included a physical fight in 2019 which resulted in him being “knocked to the floor”. Asked about the couple’s US exit, Mr Trump told the broadcaster that the couple had done "too many horrible things" to be taken back so easily. He said: "First of all, I think King Charles is fantastic, he's a friend of mine. Personally, I would not have taken them back. "Too much hate, too many really bad things. He [Prince Harry] wrote a book that was so bad, and she was a horrible influence on him. What she's done to him is unacceptable." Referring to the King again, the US president said that "everybody loved him" during his recent trip to Washington DC and New York. He continued: "If I were King Charles, I would not take them back. There's too much. He was here a couple of months ago, everybody loved him in America. He spoke in front of Congress, everybody loved him. He's a fantastic guy. "And he's been a friend of mine for a long time. I knew him as Prince Charles, I know him as King Charles, and he's amazing and he's fighting through a very tough situation with his health, and very few people would have that bravery to do what he's done." When presenter Bev Turner suggested that while there was "no relationship" between Harry and William, the King appears to have "offered an olive branch" to his son and daughter-in-law, Mr Trump responded: "It shows you what a good man King Charles is. “He's a much better person than I am, I wouldn't have done it. I would have said forget it." It is not the first time Mr Trump has been critical of the couple. On Wednesday, he said he was “happy” to hear the news that Harry and Meghan had returned to live in the UK, and said he was “not a fan”. The Sussexes returned last week alongside their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, ending a six-year period of living in the US to begin a new life. Reports suggest the family intends to stay in the UK for an "extended period", triggering debate over where they will establish their home, with the Cotswolds emerging as a likely location. Having stepped down as working royals six years ago, Harry and Meghan have subsequently aimed criticism at the royal family and the monarchy during media appearances. They are expected to remain non-working royals. While news of their unexpected move surfaced last month, just days before they made the journey back over to the UK, the Sussexes have not yet spoken publicly regarding their intentions. Uncertainty remains over several details, including whether public money will be used to fund their security arrangements, after Harry previously raised concerns over his family’s safety in the UK. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments