Not the Man You Think”: Former Palace Insider Lifts the Veil on Prince Harry

A Familiar Stranger

For decades, Prince Harry has been one of the most photographed men in the world — the cheeky, smiling “spare” who captured hearts with his charm. But according to a woman who once worked closely with the Royal Family, the man we see today may be a far cry from the one behind palace gates.

Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, has known Harry since his youth. Speaking in the new Channel 5 documentary Prince Harry: My Terrible Year, she recalled her past experiences with the Duke of Sussex before his royal exit and move to Los Angeles with Meghan Markle.

“My engagement and my experience with Prince Harry has only been positive,” Ailsa said warmly. “He is very warm and engaging and kind, so only fond memories of him, truly. I think potentially it is almost a crossroads for him now — what does he do next?”

The Year Everything Changed

The documentary explores the turmoil of the past year for Harry, focusing on his explosive BBC interview after his request for UK-funded security was denied. It was a moment that shocked both the press and those who once worked alongside him.

“This side of Prince Harry is unfamiliar to those who have worked closely with him,” the narrator remarked, hinting at the gap between the Harry of old and the one the public sees now.

“Too Impulsive” – A Harsh Assessment

While Ailsa’s memories of working with Harry were affectionate, her assessment of his recent actions was less forgiving. She described his tell-all interview as “too impulsive” and blamed his current advisors for steering him poorly.

“The Royal Family has a really fantastic team of advisors and diplomats,” she explained. “Harry would have been used to working with them. The advice he’s getting now? I’m not sure it’s serving him well.”

Family Trust on the Brink

The former palace aide was particularly critical of Harry’s decision to discuss King Charles’ health and the family rift in public. Such candor, she warned, risks eroding the one thing no royal can afford to lose — trust.

“I think trust is paramount in every walk of life,” she said gravely. “If you can’t trust your family, who can you trust?”

Behind her words was an implication: members of the Royal Family may fear that welcoming Harry back into the fold could result in private matters becoming public once more.

Tough Love for the Duke

When asked if reconciliation between father and son was possible, Ailsa didn’t sugarcoat her advice. “Stop being the victim and start being the hero of the piece,” she urged. “Start writing your own script.”

Her message was blunt: the public is growing weary of hearing Harry’s grievances. “I think people are just getting a little bit tired of how Prince Harry thinks the world is against him and how awful his life is,” she added.

A Crossroads for the Sussexes

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have built a life in Montecito, California, blending celebrity culture with selective public appearances. Yet, as the Channel 5 program suggests, Harry’s public image has become entangled with constant criticism, personal revelations, and the perception — fair or not — that he is defined by grievance.

The documentary notes that his recent comments about the King could complicate his hoped-for September meeting with Charles in the UK. Palace insiders are reportedly wary, knowing that one misplaced word could unravel months of delicate diplomacy.

From Beloved Prince to Divisive Figure

Harry’s journey from beloved “people’s prince” to polarizing public figure has been swift and, for some, bewildering. For those like Ailsa who remember the young man full of warmth and humor, it’s a transformation that raises difficult questions: Is this change the result of circumstance, influence, or choice?

What’s clear is that Harry now stands at a personal and professional crossroads. The path he chooses — whether one of reconciliation or continued estrangement — could define his legacy as much as any charity work or royal title.

The Last Word

Prince Harry: My Terrible Year airs on Channel 5 at 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 9. And while the program’s title may sound sensational, it captures an undeniable truth: for the Duke of Sussex, this year has been one of reckoning.

For Ailsa Anderson, the man she knew is still there — but perhaps buried under layers of hurt, defensiveness, and the weight of his own narrative. Whether the world, or the Royal Family, will see that man again is a question only Harry himself can answer.