They were, for the first time in many months, in the same country at the same time and physically closer than they have been in a long time. But the gap between brothers Princes William and Harry could not have been any wider.
The chances of the pair ever mending their rift seem even more unlikely after William gave London a wide berth when Harry made the trip from California to give evidence in a High Court case against a newspaper group.
For part of Harry’s five-day whirlwind trip to testify about alleged breaches of his privacy and unlawful newsgathering, William and wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44, were in Scotland on an official visit. William, 43, also visited Bristol, in the west of England.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe believes it wasn’t a fluke that William was not close to London when Harry, 41, was there, and says the trips could have been planned to send a message to his brother.
“It seems to be more than just a coincidence that William had taken himself away. It wasn’t the first time he’s been out of town when Harry has a court hearing.”
Duncan says William making himself unavailable should Harry have approached him about meeting up shows there is “no way back” into the royal fold for the estranged duke. It’s believed they haven’t spoken since their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022. They were both at the funeral of their uncle Sir Robert Fellowes, in August 2024, but it’s understood they didn’t talk to each other.
Harry and William are worlds apart
Royal author Robert Jobson agrees that the distance between the two is greater than ever.
“Yes, they were in the same country, but it’s like they’re worlds apart. William and Catherine are the embodiment of the future of the monarchy, while Harry looks trapped in the past. “William is out there doing the job, serving, while Harry, back in court and nursing old wounds, is still fighting yesterday’s battles. The divide is now absolute and Harry’s distance from his family isn’t measured
in miles any more.”
William and Catherine are playing a crucial role in the “soft diplomacy” for which the royal family is renowned, and with international politics particularly turbulent at the moment, they’re needed more than ever, says Robert.
William and Catherine step into diplomacy
For example, William being asked by the UK government to carry out an official visit to Saudi Arabia this month, where he’ll celebrate growing trade, energy and investment ties between the two countries, is a sign of how the Foreign Office rates him as a “super diplomat”.
Robert explains, “He’s being trusted with serious diplomacy now, the kind that matters. William and Catherine are a class act and a safe pair of hands when relations need soothing. Catherine brings star power, William brings substance and depth. Together, they’re Britain’s best card to play on the world stage.”
Harry focused on grievances, not the future
But while William is focused on duty, Harry’s priority is grievance, says Robert, citing his legal cases against British newspapers that have been ongoing for many years.
“Until the courtroom stops being Harry’s default setting, this royal rift will remain in place. “William is building a future and doesn’t need any drama. You can’t bridge that gap when one brother is moving forward and the other won’t let go of the past. Reconciliation needs compromise, but it mostly needs trust and there’s no trust between them.”
Invictus Games could be a royal peace offering
Royal biographer Jennie Bond says it appears Harry is the one looking for an opportunity to “establish a peace treaty”. His Invictus Games, due to be held in the UK next year, could provide the ideal avenue to mend fences with his family.
“It could present the perfect platform for a public reconciliation,” she says The spanner in the works is William, who has shown no inclination to reconcile with Harry. But a heart-to-heart with his brother could be in his best interests, says Jennie.
“A lifetime of feuding is exhausting and damaging. William’s reign would be so much easier without the baggage of family estrangements.”
Historian Tessa Dunlop says William making the effort to get on with his brother would also be good for the future of the monarchy, which is decreasing in popularity with every generation. The sovereign is meant to be a “unifying figure and point of stability”, and “forgiveness is an essential prerequisite for a future defender of the faith”, Tessa points out.
“To have any chance of halting the royal family’s decline, William needs to set aside his differences and offer Harry an olive branch. Welcoming his brother back into the fold would set William apart as the redemptive prince, a man well equipped to broaden the monarchy’s appeal for the next generation.”
