Prince Harry says there was ‘room for improvement' in King Charles' parenting

Prince Harry emotionally reflected on his childhood during a visit to Australia, stating there was “room for improvement” in King Charles’ parenting.

During a visit to the land down under, Harry sat down for a wide-ranging chat during a Q&A for Movember at Western Bulldogs headquarters at Mission Whitten Oval, reported News.com.au.

In an interview with the organization’s Global Director of Men’s Health Research, Dr. Zac Seidler, Harry reflected on Charles’ parenting style and how it has influenced his own choices as a father to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

He stated, “I see parenting evolving over time. I think it always has, just… from my perspective, our kids are our upgrade.”

Harry continued, “Not to say that I’m an upgrade of my dad or that my kids upgraded me, but that’s the approach that I take. Even if you have the best upbringing in the world and you have the best parenting in the world, there’s still room for improvement.”

The Duke of Sussex then said that certain conversations he must have with his two children now were not issues when he and his brother, Prince William, were growing up, such as the influence of social media.

Harry also touched on how he and his wife, Meghan [Markle], resolve conflicts in their marriage regarding historically gender-defining parenting roles.

He explained, “My wife and I regularly talk about what turns out to be a conflict between couples. I find it so interesting how [the father] goes to work, comes back… he’s had a really stressful day…. now he’s coming back and just wants to stick his feet on the kitchen table, put the soccer on, and have a beer.”

“And he’s thinking [to his partner], ‘well, you’ve just been at home all day,’” the prince continued. 

“There’s this conflict where it’s like, both are true. Your day has been challenging, my day has be challenging, so let’s just use this moment and this opportunity to reconnect as opposed to trying to play it off with each other and say my day’s been harder than yours.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are on a four-day tour of Australia, according to ABC News. This is their first return to the country since shortly after their 2018 marriage.

This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 4:30 AM.