Prince William remains unwilling to follow King Charles’ lead in fixing his relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, according to reports.
The Prince of Wales is said to have been “unhappy” after the Sussexes told the press about their plans to visit the UK with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in July.
The revelation triggered speculation that Harry and Meghan might stay at one of the Royal Family’s properties during their trip. However, according to royal expert Emily Andrews, William made his position abundantly clear that Windsor would be off-limits. Harry is expected to return to the UK in September, but it’s not yet clear where he will stay.
“I’m told [Prince William] made it clear that Harry and Meghan were not to be offered Windsor Castle, or indeed any royal accommodation in Windsor,” she wrote in a recent issue of Woman and Home Magazine. “He did not want to run the risk of seeing his younger brother – or Meghan – on his home turf.”
William and Kate live at Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate, which sits approximately a 10-minute drive from Windsor Castle and a brief walk from Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan’s old home.
The Sussexes recently returned to the UK (Image: AFP)
Given the close proximity of these properties, Andrews suggested William was intent on preventing the possibility of an uncomfortable run-in with his brother.
She claimed, “A brutal showdown (which is what it would surely be) between the warring brothers is something that William would want to avoid at all costs. I’d go as far as to say that he’d snub Harry if he came anywhere near.”
William and Harry were last reported to be in the same location at their uncle’s funeral in August 2024, where sources claimed they maintained distance from one another.
It’s uncertain whether William’s reported sentiments influenced the final arrangements, but the only royal residence Harry was reportedly offered was Buckingham Palace.
The two brothers are no longer close (Image: Getty)
Conflicting accounts emerged from both camps regarding whether the Duke of Sussex would actually use the accommodation. Ultimately, Harry declined the lodging and wasn’t spotted near Windsor, allowing William to sidestep the potential “showdown.”
William and Kate were also absent from Highgrove House during Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet’s meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Prince and Princess of Wales were instead several miles away participating in the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup.
The strained dynamic between the brothers seems to persist without resolution, despite the King’s apparent desire to mend relations.
Royal biographer and editor Russell Myers has suggested “shutting Harry and Meghan out” represents a deliberate choice made by William and Kate, with the couple prioritizing their wellbeing and the “protection and prosperity” of the monarchy.
In his book William & Catherine, Myers noted that, as an “outsider,” Kate had observed the breakdown of William and Harry’s relationship. He claimed she attempted to act as a “peacemaker,” but that by the time Harry announced his intention to step back as a senior royal, Kate had formed a different perspective.
“Sources suggest Catherine had less interest than her husband in trying to persuade Harry to stay in his current role,” he alleged.
Myers added, “She believed William and Harry’s fundamental differences as ‘heir and the spare’ had created the inevitability of Harry wanting more from his role than being a bit-part player.”