Prince William tells Kate: 'Stay away from Harry'

After five years of estrangement, the possibility of Prince Harry being welcomed back into the royal fold is looking more and more likely, as he and King Charles continue to make amends following their face-to-face meeting in September – their first in 19 months. But not everybody is said to be thrilled with the potential reconciliation, with sources telling heat that it’s causing tension between Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, who has been fully behind the rapprochement.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales ©(Photo by Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

‘William is staggered that his father’s allowing Harry back into the fold like this prodigal son figure,’ we’re told. ‘One of the things that irks him most is that Kate’s been pushing so hard for Harry’s reprieve. William was very clear all the way along that he didn’t support it, and the ongoing communication between Kate and Harry didn’t sit well with him at all. Now, despite his emphatic protestations, he’s being ignored by his father on the subject. That hasn’t stopped William from making his feelings known to Kate, and he’s imploring her to back him in this and stay away from Harry when he next flies over. It’s a very tricky position for her because all she wants is peace.’

Harry and Charles met for a private tea at the King’s London residence, Clarence House, on 10 September, during Harry’s four-day return to the UK. The Duke of Sussex, 41, gifted his 76-year-old dad a framed photograph to mark the reunion, which lasted around 55 minutes.

‘Gifts were exchanged, and we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over. The image did not contain the duke and duchess,’ Harry’s spokesperson said, indicating that the photo could have been of Harry and wife Meghan Markle’s children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ©(Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Last month’s reunion could be a new start for Charles and Harry, with insiders revealing that there are plans for the pair to meet more frequently over the next year, before they make a public show of unity. Our insider says, ‘As everyone knows, things are pretty tense at the moment between William and Charles, and this is right at the top of the list of things they disagree on. It’s taken His Majesty a long time to soften his stance towards Harry, but at this point in time, he shares Kate’s belief that life is too short for petty grudges. Despite all the ups and downs of years gone by, Harry is still his flesh and blood, and deserves to be treated with dignity.

King Charles III and Prince William ©(Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

‘He’s not suggesting that the door should be open for him to return to royal duty, but it’s the King’s view that there’s no reason why Harry should be totally ostracised. And he is saying openly that he looks forward to more visits with his son, grandchildren and even his daughter-in- law in the very near future.’

The relationship between the royal family, and Harry and Meghan, 44, became fractured when the Sussexes upped sticks and quit being working royals in 2020 – and their TV interviews, documentaries and Harry’s memoir Spare have done little to improve relations. But amid the royal cancer diagnoses – Charles continues his treatment for cancer, while Kate is in remission – the King and the princess are hoping to start a new chapter with the Sussexes. Kate, 43, has been unwaveringly supportive of Harry, and he once considered her the sister he never had’. As we’ve reported, Kate has attempted to reunite the brothers behind the scenes, but insiders say the situation is causing William stress.

‘William has so many other worries on his plate. He’s got a packed calendar, forward- planning meetings galore, and is preparing to move his family to their new home in Windsor,’ we’re told. ‘All this is driving a wedge between him, his father and wife and for William, that’s intolerable.’

Prince William tells Kate: ‘Stay away from Harry’