One of the most tragic rifts in modern history is that between Prince William and Prince Harry – two brothers who were meant to support each other through the loss of their mother, now torn apart by the choices each have made.
Royal experts have weighed in on their ongoing rift, telling People we are not likely to see fences mended between William, 43, and Harry, 40, unless drastic action is taken.
Robert Lacey, author of Battle of Brothers, told the publication, “The rift is very profound and very long-lasting. It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologises.”
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The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex are brothers who were meant to support each other through the loss of their mother (Kirsty O’Connor/PA Wire via Getty Images)
Historian Amanda Foreman added, “Everyone wants it to happen on their terms, but that’s what makes it impossible.”
The public first became aware of the tension in the family when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020, fleeing to start their lives from scratch in America.
Shortly after, Harry aired the royal family’s dirty laundry in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, as well as their 2022 Netflix documentary Harry and Meghan.
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Many points of tension came to light over the years. (FilmMagic)
Matters were made worse in 2023 when Harry published his memoir Spare, which detailed a physical altercation between the brothers in which William reportedly criticised Meghan, 44.
However, after years abroad, welcoming two children – Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, three – and his father King Charles’ recent cancer diagnosis, Harry seems eager for a reconciliation with the British royal family.
His and his father’s aides recently met in what have been labelled “peace talks” in July, with royal fans eager to see their relationship patched up.
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“[William] can control what he does in his life, but he has no control over what Harry does.” (Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
Harry’s not disillusioned though, with the royal saying in May this year, “Some members of my family will never forgive me.”
William seems to be at the top of that list, with royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith sharing that the Prince of Wales is accepting this new normal with his younger brother.
“He can control what he does in his life, but he has no control over what Harry does,” she said.
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All the times Meghan, Harry, Kate and William have paid tribute to Diana
But there is one thing that unites the two brothers – a shared love for and commitment to their late mother, Princess Diana.
On the 28th anniversary of his mother’s death on July 16, Prince Harry walked the same trial his mother did through a minefield in Angola three decades ago to raise awareness of the horrors of war.
On July 1, which would have been his mother’s 64th birthday, William celebrated the second anniversary of Homewards, his charity and mission to end homelessness, a cause he was introduced to by Diana as a child, with the late royal making sure her sons were well aware of their privilege and power.
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Both brothers have named their daughters – Princess Charlotte, nine, and Lilibet, three – after their mum, with their middle names being Diana.
Diana’s biographer Andrew Morton said, “Diana always used to say she had two boys for a reason – the younger would be there to support the older in the lonely task as future King.
“There is no doubt Diana would have tried to act as a peacemaker between them. If she had been around, they would have worked things out in a different way.”
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