Quick Read
- Prince Harry reportedly used an intermediary to attempt communication with Prince William.
- The effort was unsuccessful, with an author stating the “stone wall is still up” between the brothers.
- A new biography by Russell Myers suggests the royal rift began before Harry’s 2018 wedding.
- Myers’ book also contradicts Harry’s account of a physical altercation with William in 2019.
- Princess Kate reportedly had less interest in convincing Harry to remain a working royal, understanding the ‘heir and spare’ dynamic.
LONDON (Azat TV) – Prince Harry reportedly sought the help of an “intermediary” in an attempt to facilitate a conversation with his older brother, Prince William, amidst their long-standing estrangement. This revelation comes as new royal biographies offer conflicting accounts on the origins and nature of the rift, highlighting ongoing efforts for reconciliation even as deep divisions persist within the British royal family.
The Duke of Sussex’s outreach, detailed by Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie to Us Weekly, suggests a continued desire by Prince Harry to bridge the gap with Prince William. Scobie stated that Harry contacted a mutual friend, hoping this would create an avenue for dialogue, potentially with someone present or through an alternative channel. However, Scobie also revealed that this attempt ultimately “didn’t happen,” indicating that the “stone wall is still up” between the brothers, with resolution dependent on a change in attitudes from both sides.
Harry’s Reconciliation Attempt and Its Outcome
The reported attempt to use an intermediary underscores Prince Harry’s efforts to mend his fractured relationship with Prince William. Despite their last public interaction being at the 2024 funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, where they did not reportedly speak, Harry has seemingly not abandoned hope for reconciliation. The news of this private outreach, though unsuccessful, provides a glimpse into the complexities of their fraternal bond and the challenges in repairing it.
Deepening Royal Rift: From Wedding Preparations to Separation
The origins of the estrangement are further illuminated by royal editor Russell Myers in his upcoming biography, William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story. Myers suggests that the “first signs of a royal crisis” emerged even before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding. According to Myers, the planning and execution of the wedding, coupled with the shared household with Prince William and Kate Middleton, pushed their relations “to near breaking point.” This account reframes the initial fallout, placing the genesis of the Prince William crisis much earlier than widely perceived, even before the Sussexes decided to establish a separate household from Kensington Palace in 2019.
After the wedding, Harry and Meghan reportedly felt they “were not being listened to,” leading to their decision to move from Nottingham Cottage to Frogmore Cottage and establish a new household. Myers describes this separation, though a logical step, as the “first public sign of a crisis” that could “envelop the wider institution,” turning a personal strain into a long-running challenge for the monarchy.
Conflicting Accounts on a Physical Altercation
The narrative surrounding the brothers’ feud also includes differing accounts of a highly publicized alleged physical altercation in 2019. In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry claimed that Prince William confronted him at Nottingham Cottage, calling Meghan “difficult,” “rude,” and “abrasive.” Harry alleged that the argument escalated, with William grabbing him by the collar, ripping his necklace, and knocking him to the floor onto a dog’s bowl. Prince Harry described it as a “pretty nasty experience” and a “buildup of frustration” on William’s part, fueled by tabloid press and misinformation.
However, an excerpt from Russell Myers’ new biography, published by The Mirror, challenges Harry’s account, describing the claim of a physical attack as “massively overblown.” A source cited in Myers’ book stated that while “tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable,” Prince William is “adamant there was no physical violence.” Another source highlighted the stress on palace staff during this period, noting they were “ground down” to the point of mental health being affected or walking away.
William’s Perspective and Kate’s Stance on the Estrangement
Russell Myers’ book also offers insight into Prince William’s emotional state regarding the estrangement. Myers writes that William was “intensely saddened” by his brother’s decision to quit as a working royal, recognizing that “there would be no turning back.” The biography suggests that fond childhood memories were “now tarnished by the division at the heart of the family.”
In contrast, Catherine, Princess of Wales, reportedly had “less interest” in convincing Harry to remain a working royal. Myers claims that Kate believed the “fundamental differences” between William as the “heir” and Harry as the “spare” made Harry’s desire for a more significant role inevitable. This perspective positions Kate Middleton as a pragmatic observer of the brothers’ diverging paths, understanding the inherent challenges of their roles within the monarchy.
The ongoing revelations from royal biographers, coupled with Prince Harry’s reported attempts at reconciliation, underscore the enduring complexities of the relationship between the royal brothers. These differing narratives highlight not only the deep personal impact of their estrangement but also the broader implications for the future dynamics and public perception of the British monarchy.