Photos show how Prince Harry and King Charles' relationship has changed over time

The Duke of Sussex and King Charles III have had a fractured relationship ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020. 

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Prince Harry said his father stopped taking his calls amid conversations about his royal exit and that he was financially cut off from the royal family after resigning in the spring of 2020.

But their relationship appears to have somewhat improved recently. Harry and Charles have made several public appearances together, including at the funerals of Prince Philip in April 2021 and Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, and at Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. 

And after ascending the throne on September 8, King Charles mentioned his "love for Harry and Meghan" in his first speech as monarch.

Speaking to ITV's Tom Bradby in January 2023 to promote his memoir, Harry said he wanted his father back in his life.

"I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back," Harry said. 

The current status of Harry and Charles' relationship is not known. However, it's worth noting that Harry attended the king's coronation ceremony on Saturday, May 6. Harry appeared to be in good spirits as he spoke with members of the royal family. He didn't have a formal role at the ceremony and therefore did not interact with Charles or Prince William at the event.

Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the status of King Charles and Harry's relationship.

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.

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.

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.

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

Harry supported his father at his wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles on April 9, 2005. Years later, the prince wrote in his memoir that he initially didn't want the wedding to take place due to the controversy it would cause.

Source: Insider

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.

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.

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.

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

Their relationship took a turn for the worse after Harry resigned from royal duties in March 2020. Harry told Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 that his father stopped taking his calls shortly before his "step back."

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 aired, during which Harry also said he had been cut off financially from the family.

Source: Insider

Harry and Meghan returned to the UK in June 2022 for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. While they attended many of the same events as Charles, they weren't photographed together or seen interacting with him.

Queen Elizabeth died on September 8 at the age of 96. King Charles III automatically ascended the throne, and in his first speech as monarch, he mentioned his "love for Harry and Meghan."

Read more: King Charles III mentioned his 'love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas' in his first speech as king

As Charles was officially sworn in as monarch by the Accession Council on September 10, he used an ink pot that was reportedly a joint gift from Harry and William.

Read more: Charles III included a subtle nod to Prince Harry and Prince William during the ceremony where he swore his oaths as king

On September 13, Harry, Charles, and Meghan were pictured together at Buckingham Palace as they waited for the Queen's coffin to arrive from Scotland. It marked the first time the trio were pictured together since the Sussexes' step back.

They appeared to show a united front as they walked behind the Queen's coffin at her funeral service on September 19.

Read more: Prince Harry and King Charles' fractured relationship appears to have reached a truce — a major step forward could be giving his children princely titles

Harry said he wanted his father and brother back in his life while promoting his memoir in January.

Harry published his memoir, "Spare," in January, which shares details about his life in the royal family and his upbringing. 

In an interview with ITV's Tom Brady to promote the book, Harry said that he and Charles were not on speaking terms but he wanted his father back in his life.

"I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back," Harry said, adding that the family had shown "no willingness to reconcile."

Buckingham Palace did not publicly respond to Harry's allegations or make a statement regarding the publication of the book.

After months of speculation about whether he would attend the king's coronation, Harry was all smiles as he arrived at Westminster Abbey solo.

The current status of Harry and Charles' relationship is not known. However, it's worth noting that Harry showed his support for Charles by attending his coronation ceremony without Meghan Markle at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6.

Harry appeared to be in good spirits as he smiled and chatted with members of the royal family. However, he wasn't part of the ceremony and therefore did not interact with Charles or William at the event.

The Duke of Sussex also reportedly left for the airport straight after the ceremony and didn't join the family at any private celebrations over the weekend. According to Sky News, Harry flew back to California after the ceremony and arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday evening in time to celebrate his son Archie's birthday, which was on the same day as the coronation.