Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. has intensified the Prince William and Prince Harry relationship rift, and the brothers have had no direct contact. The divide now sits alongside Harry’s push to reconcile with King Charles, while William and Kate Middleton are being drawn back into how the family handles future contact.
Amanda Foreman said, “It has gone from being a hot war to a very, very cold war.” She added, “At the moment, it has gone from being a hot war to a very, very cold war. But in a cold war situation, you still have to turn up to the Olympics.”
Amanda Foreman on the rift
Sources told PEOPLE that William and Harry remain estranged. One close palace source said, “It was very hard on them, and I wouldn’t blame William for being cautious.”
The split is being described as long-running rather than temporary. That leaves the brothers in separate tracks: Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile, while William’s side is being described as holding firm to distance.
William and Kate Middleton
Russell Myers said, “William’s view is clear — any relationship his father has with Harry or the Sussexes as a family is entirely up to him.” He added, “But looking toward the future, he will have no relationship with them, in a working or private capacity whatsoever.”
People close to William and Kate Middleton said the wounds behind the estrangement remain deep. Kate is in remission following her cancer treatment and is increasingly back on public duty, which puts her in the position of helping manage how the Prince and Princess of Wales approach any future family contact.
King Charles and Prince Harry
King Charles reunited with Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet in July during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to the U.K. before their move. Since Aug. 26, Charles and Harry have spoken at least once, but they have not seen each other.
Simon Vigar said the Prince and Princess of Wales are approaching the Harry and Meghan situation with the British monarchy’s age-old mantra, “It is keep calm and carry on.” He said, “They see it as a sideshow and ancient history.”
That leaves the brothers’ relationship in a narrow place: Harry has moved toward repair with their father, but William is described as keeping no working or private relationship at all. Whether Prince William and Prince Harry will ever resume direct contact is the unresolved point now hanging over the family.
