Prince William and Prince Harry are currently estranged from each other, and this strained relationship could potentially pose significant challenges for the future king.
According to an inside source within the royal circle, the ongoing rift between Prince William and his brother could have significant consequences for the monarchy. If the divide between them persists, William, who is 41 years old, stands to lose out on the valuable support and companionship of someone who would have otherwise been his most trusted and influential advisor.
“It’s truly heartbreaking to witness the significant distance that has grown between them,” expressed Charles Rae. “Their once inseparable bond now feels a world apart. I had always envisioned Harry as one of William’s trusted advisors when he ascends to the throne. Sadly, it seems like that possibility has now evaporated.”
According to a royal expert and author, the late Princess Diana always desired for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to maintain a strong bond. “They had each other,” he shared with The Sun. “It was the two of them against the rest of the world. However, unfortunately, that closeness seems to have diminished.”
Prince William and Prince Harry’s relationship has been a complex one over the years.
Over the years, the relationship between the siblings has had its fair share of highs and lows, particularly when Harry, 39, made the decision to permanently step back from his role as a working member of the family.
According to ITV Royal Editor, Chris Ship, it was reported in March that the former working royal reached out to his brother and his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, shortly before they received the devastating news of her cancer diagnosis.
According to royal author Tom Quinn, it has been reported that William and Kate, both 42, have shown interest in reconciling with Harry and Meghan Markle. However, it seems that this suggestion has not made much progress so far, as Quinn mentioned in an interview with The Mirror earlier this month.
According to royal expert Tessa Dunlop, Harry is reportedly in a “painful place” upon learning about his sister-in-law’s illness. This exclusive information was shared with Us Weekly in March.
“It can be incredibly painful to find out that your sister-in-law has cancer, especially when you realize that you have written things that cannot be taken back,” she explained candidly. “I want to acknowledge that the pain is very real and valid.”
From King Charles III to Princess Eugenie: A Look at the Royal Line of Succession
Harry’s relationship with other members of his family, including his father, King Charles III, has also been strained since he and Meghan relocated from London to California with their two children. They welcomed Archie and Lilibet in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
“My family actually stopped providing financial support, and I had to find a way to afford security for us,” Harry revealed in his candid CBS interview in March 2021. “I was deprived of financial assistance in the first quarter of 2020. However, thanks to the inheritance my mother left me, we were able to make this happen.”
Despite the family rift, he took it upon himself to make a solo trip across the pond and visit the king. This decision came after Buckingham Palace made the announcement in February that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.
Harry expressed his deep affection for his family by stating, “I love my family.” He further emphasized his gratitude for being able to visit them by saying, “The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.” During an interview on Good Morning America, Harry shared his eagerness to see his family by mentioning, “I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could.”
Harry chose to keep quiet about his father’s diagnosis, but he did mention that he would be heading back to London in the near future. “I have other trips planned that will take me through the U.K., or back to the U.K.,” he shared. “So, I’ll make sure to stop by and spend time with my family as much as possible.”