A meeting between the two brothers seems highly unlikely
Prince Harry is set to meet King Charles during a visit to the UK this week(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry is set to embark on his visit to the UK today, coinciding with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death. Whilst it’s thought Harry’s rare visit may see a long-awaited reunion with his father, it is unlikely that the Duke of Sussex will spend any time with his estranged brother.
Despite a peace offering being made between the Sussex camp and the Firm earlier this year when senior aides to both Harry and King Charles met in London, Prince William is thought to have firmly rejected any potential reunion following years of public spats between the two.
A source told the Mirror that years of public allegations about the Royal family from Harry over the years has resulted in serious trust issues between the brothers, with the possibility of a meeting in the coming weeks being “rejected out of hand”. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here.
The source added: “William feels Harry has repeatedly chosen public exposure over private resolution and that the Royal Family can’t keep being dragged into the headlines every time there’s a new contract to promote.”, reports the Mirror.
They continued: “The issue with Harry, as well as Meghan, is one of trust. Ever since moving to North America, they have eroded all confidence in their ability to keep things or their criticisms private. For there to be any chance of moving forward, that trust has to be rebuilt, and Team Sussex knows the onus is on them.”
According to a well-placed source, the relationship between Harry and William remains strained. Their bond has deteriorated massively Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited the Royal Family in 2020, abandoning their royal duties for a new life in California.
Harry has conceded that some of his family may never forgive him(Image: / SplashNews.com)
Following their dramatic exit, the Sussexes have made a series of public criticisms towards the Royal family, including their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, their Netflix docuseries in 2022, and Harry’s memoir Spare in 2023.
Prince Harry confessed to the BBC in May that some of his family “may never forgive” him for his continuous stream of accusations against them.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond also shared her thoughts on Harry and William’s relationship in light of the Duke of Sussex’s UK visit. She told the Mirror that while Harry might reach out to some Royal family members during his trip, it’s unlikely he’ll attempt to connect with his brother.
She said: “Harry may well see some of his cousins – such as Eugenie or Beatrice – but I don’t think there’s any likelihood of a meeting with William or Catherine. The rift between the brothers remains too deep and William has far too much going on in his life to worry about the Harry problem.
“I would never say never in a family dispute. As the years roll by, it may be that William will find a way to reconcile with Harry. But that day – if it ever comes, and it may not – is not any time soon.”
Despite William’s reluctance to meet his brother, King Charles has apparently agreed to meet his younger son for the first time in nearly two years during his visit.
A US source revealed to the Mirror: “It’s clear there is now a determination on both sides to make this happen. Nobody is pretending the wider family issues have been resolved, but this is about beginning with Charles and Harry. For the first time in a long time, there’s a genuine sense that reconciliation is within reach.
“After 20 months apart, and with the King continuing his treatment, the feeling is that the time is right to take that step. This is not about grand gestures or set-piece meetings – it’s about a simple face-to-face conversation between a father and his son. The priority is privacy and dignity, but also ensuring the door stays open for further dialogue.”