PRINCE Harry could DELAY his bombshell memoir after Charles offered him an “olive branch” to heal their rift, a royal expert has said.
The Duke of Sussex announced the release of his upcoming book last year, vowing to give a “wholly truthful” account of his life.
The announcement was said to have triggered a “tsunami of fear” in Buckingham Palace, with concerns the memoir could echo Harry’s bombshell Oprah interview.
Harry was also said to have “barely spoken” with his father last year, as their relations plummeted to “an all time low”.
But in an unexpected act of reconciliation this week, Charles paid tribute to Harry in a Newsweek essay, praising his son’s environmental work while sharing how “proud” he is of the duke for “passionately highlighting the impact of climate change”.
And it’s believed his comments could help heal the ongoing father-son rift.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Sun Online: “I do think this tribute is very significant because this is one thing that Charles, William and Harry share in common and that is the need to fight climate change.
“Harry’s relations with his father have of course been extremely strained.
“The fact that Charles has done this in Newsweek, which has a large circulation in America, I think it’s clearly a form of an olive branch in the hope that there will be a form of reconciliation.”
It is not yet clear which month Harry’s memoir, due for release in 2022, will come out, or what time of the duke’s life it will focus on.
But Mr Fitzwilliams believes Charles’ latest comments could prompt his son to hold back the date of publication.
“I think if you offer an olive branch it’s only reasonable to expect something in return,” the expert said.
“I would have thought that some form of either postponement of the autobiography or indeed some form of clarification as to when or what years it will cover (can be expected).
“Otherwise everything that is said to Meghan and Harry when they come over for the platinum jubilee celebrations – which I’m sure they will – could conceivably find it’s way into the book.”
Harry’s memoir is currently due out in the same year as the Queen’s platinum jubilee, meaning it has the potential to cast a shadow over celebrations.
And Mr Fitzwilliams suggests things could be handled “so they don’t embarrass the Royal Family further this year”.
“The Royal family need to know the pressure is being taken off them when it comes to this autobiography or biographies,” he added.
“This is a way of handling it.”
Charles’ essay features on the cover of a special climate change edition of the US mag, out on January 14.
In it, he writes: “The world is on the brink and we need the mobilising urgency of a war-like footing if we are to win.
“As a father, I am proud that my sons have recognised this threat.
“Most recently, my elder son, William, launched the prestigious Earthshot Prize to incentivise change and help repair our planet over the next ten years.
“And my younger son, Harry, has passionately highlighted the impact of climate change, especially in relation to Africa, and committed his charity to being net zero.”
Announcing the news of his book last year, Harry said in a statement: “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become.”
He added: “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a first hand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”
