The ongoing feud between Prince William and Prince Harry appears to be deepening, with some insiders suggesting that their relationship is now “unbridgeable.” Friends of Prince William, the future king, have even speculated that he might not invite Harry to his future coronation. Instead, they predict the next time the brothers will meet face-to-face could be at the funeral of their father, King Charles.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond has commented on these speculations, agreeing that the rift between the brothers seems irreparable. In an interview with OK! Magazine, she stated, “I don’t think William wastes any of his life thinking about his brother, though we know that Harry has said he would like to have some kind of reconciliation.” However, she suggested that any reconciliation would likely be on Harry’s terms. She also noted that attending a coronation requires an invitation, which Harry might not receive given the current state of their relationship. Still, Bond did acknowledge that attitudes could change over time, even though she “wouldn’t hold her breath” for a reconciliation.
Bond highlighted the many responsibilities weighing on William, including his commitment to supporting his wife, Catherine, and his father, King Charles, while also raising three young children. She pointed out that William’s role as Prince of Wales comes with significant duties, leaving him little time to dwell on his strained relationship with Harry.
The tension between the two brothers has only intensified since Harry stepped back from his royal duties in January 2020 and relocated to the United States with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The couple’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix series, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” have kept them in the public spotlight and reportedly caused further strain on their relationship with the rest of the Royal Family, particularly with Prince William.
Since moving to the U.S., Harry has made only a few trips back to the UK, with his children visiting just once for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. Princess Lilibet was born in the U.S., and it is believed that this was the only time King Charles has met his granddaughter.
Despite the current state of affairs, some royal experts hold out hope that a significant event, such as King Charles’s eventual passing, might bring the brothers closer together, even if only temporarily. However, whether this potential for reconciliation will become a reality remains uncertain, as both brothers seem firmly entrenched in their respective positions.
As the Royal Family continues to navigate these personal conflicts under the public eye, the future of William and Harry’s relationship remains a topic of intense speculation and interest.