Some of the family issues within the British royal family look like they’re on the way to being settled favorably. After all, aides from King Charles and Prince Harry met recently, in what is being painted as the first step towards reconciliation. Harry has also expressed a desire to reconcile with his brother, William. But on that front, it seems like things will be a little more complicated.
The two are set to have a chance to meet sooner rather than later, as they will both be invited to the wedding of their eldest cousin, Peter Phillips. Phillips recently announced that he is engaged to Harriet Sperling after one year of dating. But whether that’s an opportunity for reconciliation or more discord remains to be seen.
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For now, it seems that both camps agree on one thing: the two will not sit together or even interact if possible. A source from the palace exclusively told Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop that the family dispute is “still active and raw.” Not just that, the rules for the two attending are set. “They made it clear: no photos, no interactions, and absolutely no sitting next to one another,” the source added.
That’s not all. Another insider said that Prince William “insisted his seat reflect his future role as king,” something that makes it obvious that Prince Harry’s position is “beneath his.” Meanwhile, Prince Harry is said to be trying to avoid a narrative of a “fake PR reunion.”
“He’s not interested in pretending things are fine when they’re not,” a source close to him said. The two, according to another source, will be under the same roof but “not in the same frame.” A friend of the groom, however, says Phillips hopes the day would be one of “celebration, not tension.”
Phillips shares a close relationship with both his cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry. This is especially true for the heir to the throne. Hello!’s royal correspondent, Danielle Stacey, said of his relationship with William, “Peter has been viewed as a supportive older brother figure to Prince William, and the pair have held a close relationship since childhood.”
The last time Prince William and Prince Harry were under the same roof was for the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes. Harry attended alone and seemingly didn’t interact with William, who was also present. Harry also recently skipped the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and Olivia Henson, despite the fact that the Duke is Prince Archie’s godfather.
Confirmation that the two will be in the same place at the same time comes after The Daily Beast reported that, according to a friend of William, “He absolutely f***ing hates” his brother. That same source also told the outlet that. “William will never, ever forgive Harry for what he has done. Charles is the king; he can do what he likes. But make no mistake: William believes with every fiber of his being that giving Harry and Meghan back any royal imprimatur is a huge mistake.”
That explains his insistence on sitting away from his brother, and makes any possible future reconciliation feel like a long shot, no matter what’s happening between Prince Harry and King Charles.
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