The start of the New Year may mark a significant shift for the Duke of Sussex following a demanding 2025. The past year proved to be an emotional journey for Prince Harry, filled with both successes and setbacks. On the positive side, he celebrated the success of the Invictus Games in Canada and made a reportedly encouraging visit to the UK in September, which led to a long-awaited meeting with his father, King Charles.
However, the year also brought challenges. Harry stepped down as a patron of his Sentebale charity and lost his Court of Appeal bid to have his UK police protection restored. More recently, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) has asked its Risk Management Board to reassess Harry’s security risk, with a decision expected next month—an outcome that could prove pivotal.
Commenting on the potential for a more positive year ahead, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that 2026 could be a strong year for Harry. She suggested that a favourable security review would remove a major barrier to visiting the UK more regularly and possibly allow him to bring his children with him. Bond also noted that the security issue has complicated Harry’s relationship with his father and said that rebuilding their bond would likely depend on face-to-face meetings during visits to Britain.
She added that Harry could support reconciliation by being flexible around King Charles’s busy schedule and by ensuring that any meetings remain entirely private. Bond also encouraged Harry to write to his father, describing the King as an enthusiastic letter writer who may appreciate that form of communication.
While Bond believes repairing Harry’s relationship with King Charles is possible, she described a reunion with Prince William as far more difficult. She explained that parents are often quicker to forgive than siblings and questioned whether William is as eager to reconcile as Harry has said he is. According to Bond, any thaw in their relationship may take considerable time—or may not happen at all.
Looking ahead, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are expected to have a full schedule in 2026, including a new Netflix project. Archewell Productions is currently developing an adaptation of The Wedding Date by author Jasmine Guillory.
