Prince Harry speaking during a television interview
Celebrity

Prince Harry Claimed King Charles and Prince William Were ‘Trapped’ in Royal Life Before UK Exit

The Duke of Sussex previously revealed he saw no way out of the royal machine before taking off for California.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

Prince Harry did not hold back when describing his view of the British royal family before he made his high-profile exit from the UK. In his bombshell sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke of Sussex reflected on his former life inside the palace walls, painting a stark picture of what life is really like behind closed doors for the top royals. According to reports highlighting his past statements, Harry believed that both his father, King Charles III, and his elder brother, Prince William, were fundamentally stuck in their official duties. Harry expressed sympathy mixed with frustration over their positions, noting that unlike him, the senior heirs do not have the freedom to simply step down and walk away from their royal obligations.

Did Prince Harry say King Charles was trapped in the monarchy During his tell-all chat with Oprah Winfrey, Harry candidly shared that he felt trapped within the institution before finding a path out. He went on to suggest that his close family members remain caught in the rigid system of the monarchy. In his view, both King Charles and Prince William are bound by birthright and tradition to fulfill their roles for life, whether they enjoy it or not. Harry explained that he previously saw no realistic escape route from his obligations as a working royal. It was only after meeting Meghan Markle and re-evaluating his personal priority list that he decided to step back from official duties and build a new life across the Atlantic in California.

Prince Harry speaking during a television interview
Prince Harry speaking during a television interview

What did Prince Harry tell Oprah Winfrey about leaving the royal family The Sussexes' explosive 2021 interview sent shockwaves through the monarchy, as Harry openly critiqued the invisible boundaries surrounding royal life. He made it clear that while he had the agency to chart his own course and leave the United Kingdom, his immediate relatives remain tied to the crown's heavy expectations. Reports emphasize that Harry felt a profound sense of limitation before making his exit. His comments underscored the massive divide between those who can step away from public duty and those destined to wear the crown. Today, Harry and Meghan continue to build their independent media empire in America, while King Charles and Prince William remain at the heart of the working monarchy in London. The stark contrast between Harry's newfound freedom and his family's lifelong commitment remains one of the defining storylines of the modern royal era.

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Prince Harry speaking during a television interview
During the interview, Harry (pictured above with Charles and William in July 2014) said he initially “didn’t see a way out” of royal life before he and Markle stepped away in January 2020 and moved to the United States.
Harry claimed William and Charles (seen here in September 2025) were trapped in the “system,” adding, “They don’t get to leave and I have huge compassion for that.”
Harry also once said it was his late mother Princess Diana’s dream for him to raise his family in the United States. (Harry is pictured above with William, Diana and Charles in July 1986.)
“I feel as though it’s the life that my mom wanted for me,” he said at the 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit. (He’s pictured above with son Archie and daughter Lilibet in June 2026.)

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People also ask

What did Prince Harry say about Prince William being trapped?
Prince Harry suggested during his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that Prince William and King Charles are unable to leave their royal obligations.
When did Prince Harry make these comments about the royal family?
Harry shared his thoughts during his high-profile March 2021 sit-down interview alongside Meghan Markle.