Prince Harry's split from royals has caused 'hurt on all sides', says Tom Bradby

Tom Bradby opened up about Prince Harry’s split from the royal family, revealing the decision caused ‘hurt on all sides.’

Speaking on Alan Titchmarch’s Love Your Weekend ITV show, Tom said he first became aware how desperately unhappy Harry was when he joined him and wife Meghan Markle on their 2019 tour of Africa.

“It was a very psychologically complex project,” said Tom. “They were clearly in a difficult position and not feeling great.

“I realised the extent of that the more I was there,” he admitted.

“I went thinking I was making a documentary about them resetting themselves in public life and it became increasingly obvious to me the depths of their unhappiness.”

Tom said he soon became aware that he was actually filming Harry and Meghan’s exit from public life.

“That was a big transition to make it my own head,” he said.

He said he was reminded of his own mental health breakdown which he said changed his perspective of the couple’s struggle.

“If that hadn’t have happened I suspect I would have gone on in a more traditional journalistic way,” explained Tom of his change in approach.

“I called my wife one night and she said stop being an idiot and start be a human being. They clearly aren’t feeling great.”

During the documentary Tom asked Meghan how she was feeling, to which the former Suits actress replied trying to pretend she was OK in her new role was ‘probably internally damaging.’

Alan said the couple still appear to be struggling even though they have now distanced themselves from the royal family by stepping down as senior members and moving to the States.

“I think they are feeling better,” assured Tom.

“There’s been a huge amount that’s happened this year that I cant talk about and that’s not accurate and not right.

‘The things they are doing they are exited by,” he said.

Since stepping down, Harry and Meghan have signed a contract with Netflix and launched their own podcast with Spotify.

Tom said that despite their new projects, “The situation with the family isn’t ideal and its been a difficult year for them all.”

The journalist is good friends with both William and Harry which he said puts him in an ‘deeply uncomfortable’ place.

“I felt caught in the middle of them in that documentary – which is not a good place to be,” he told Alan.

The host said he felt the public just want to Harry and Megan to be happy and find their place.

“I hope he’s alright and I hope he’ll be alright in what he’s decided to do,” said Alan.

“The whole thing has been incredible painful. That’s obvious to everyone,” said Tom.

He said a senior royal stepping down had never been done voluntarily before and Harry is treading new ground.

“Still no one is absolutely clear how it’s going to work. There’s a lot hurt feelings on all sides and it’s very difficult.

“The public want it to be OK and for everyone to happy and clearly that hasn’t been the situation over the past year.

“It’s not an easy and comfortable situation,” said Tom, “It was never going to be.”

Having observed the royals as a friend and a reporter for many years, Tom said: “It’s not just a family, it’s a firm. They are in the business of public service on a very elevated, exposed platform.

“They are locked in it together and that causes lots of tension… but at the same time they are trying to be a family.”