The relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry has deteriorated significantly over the years. The brothers’ feud has deep-rooted issues that have intensified over jealousies and misunderstandings that have accumulated over time. Prince Harry has openly shared in his memoir “Spare” that there were instances where William distanced himself from him, including during their time at Eton College and William’s engagement to Kate Middleton in 2010. Even after the birth of Prince George, Harry felt William’s reluctance to share or show interest in his endeavors. Harry’s introduction of Meghan Markle to the family in 2016 also seemed to cause more friction, leading to disagreements over various family matters and Meghan facing backlash from the royal family.
As tensions escalated, the brothers appeared to make attempts to mend their relationship. They met at events such as Prince Philip’s funeral and the unveiling of a statue in honor of Princess Diana. However, the rift seemed to only deepen, particularly after Harry’s revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, where he and Meghan made shocking allegations about the royal family. Prince William responded to these claims, stating that the family was not racist. Despite making efforts to come together, their relationship only worsened, leading to physical altercations and heated arguments over the course of their disagreements.
The situation reached a breaking point in 2023 when Harry published his memoir, detailing the depths of their troubled relationship since childhood. The book further fueled the ongoing tensions between the brothers, with Harry expressing a desire for reconciliation but insisting that it would require an apology from his family. The revelation in Harry’s memoir also led to their eviction from Frogmore Cottage and further strained their already fragile relationship.
While the royal family faced another setback with the King’s cancer diagnosis in 2024, hopes for a reunion between William and Harry seemed slim. The brothers briefly reunited for a tribute to Princess Diana, with Harry joining via video call, and later experienced an uncomfortable car ride to view tributes to Queen Elizabeth in Windsor. Their interactions further dwindled as they avoided direct contact during public events, and gossip swirled around their attendance at a society wedding. Reports also emerged of Harry and Meghan’s supportive but distant response to Kate’s cancer diagnosis, indicating ongoing strained relations between the couples.
As Harry is slated to return to the UK in May 2024 for the Invictus Games anniversary, speculations arise about any possibility of reconciliation with William and Kate. Though Prince Harry is reportedly interested in reconnecting with his older brother, the future King and Queen are said to be resolved not to engage in any reconciliation attempts during his visit. The ongoing divide between the brothers continues to impact their personal and public engagements, suggesting a future marked by strained relations and limited interactions between the once-close siblings.
