Prince Harry has expressed his desire to mend his strained relationships with his father, King Charles III, and elder brother, Prince William, saying reconciliation is important amid the challenges facing the world.

In an interview with GQ magazine on grief and family, recorded in New York in late September and published on Tuesday, Harry was asked whether he grieved over his “complicated” relationships with his father and brother.

“Yes, of course,” he replied, noting that many people could relate to such family difficulties.

“Some people don’t want it to work out – I want it to work out,” he said. “Of course I do ... with everything else that’s going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile — that’s the key point.”

Harry, his wife Meghan and their two children returned to the UK in late August, six years after the couple stepped down as working royals and moved to California, a decision that deepened divisions within the royal family.

The couple had subsequently criticised the royal household in interviews, including allegations of racism by an unnamed royal and claims that palace staff had been insensitive to Meghan’s mental health struggles.

However, Harry, who is fifth in line to the British throne, said last year that he wanted to reconcile with his family and spend more time with his father, who is receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Asked whether he believed the family rift could be repaired, Harry said the effects of past conflicts could remain for a long time but encouraged people to move forward.

“Look, scars stick around forever,” he said, adding that letting go of the past was “something that I would encourage everybody to do.”

“For me, there’s enough drama in the world and enough drama in people’s lives than to continue with issues with family,” he added.

A spokesperson for Harry later clarified that his remark about “some people” not wanting reconciliation was not intended as criticism of William or any other member of the royal family.