Just a few days ago, on July 10, Prince Harry had a long-awaited reunion with his father, King Charles III. Alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, and his kids, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, Harry proved that the royal drama is long behind them, and that family always comes first.
With that said, however, Harry’s brother Prince William was noticeably absent. And while sources haven’t revealed whether he was invited or not, insiders are now sharing that the reunion hasn’t budged the brothers’ strained relationship.
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“Prince William remains adamant Harry isn’t to be trusted,” Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital.
“Reports still describe a ‘total blackout’ between the brothers,” Helena Chard echoed to the outlet. “There is no sign of the rift subsiding anytime soon.”
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King Charles, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
Toby Shepheard – WPA Pool / Getty Images, Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images
“I don’t see the Prince and Princess of Wales’ absence as a snub,” Chard continued, mentioning William’s wife, Kate Middleton. “It is strategic. You can’t have an institutional reconciliation without Prince William, the future king.”
“What will the Prince of Wales make of his father’s olive branch to the Sussexes? He won’t like it, that’s for sure,” Roya Nikkhah said on The Sunday Times. “While William now rarely speaks of Harry in royal circles, his feelings of betrayal by his brother’s departure from the monarchy and subsequent outbursts still sting.”
In other words, while Charles was willing to put the conflict with Harry behind him, William and Middleton aren’t, and no family reunion will change that.
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With that said, sources also described why the reunion was so important to Charles.
“The king had wanted contact with Archie and Lilibet, saying, ‘blood is blood,’” Fordwich revealed.
“Eager Charles has always hoped to see his grandchildren,” Chard said. “He is still undergoing treatment for cancer, and family matters more than ever. Despite years of public fallout, he would not pass up the opportunity to privately see his grandchildren.”
The family reunion took place on Friday afternoon on July 10, in a private meeting at Highgrove House, the monarch’s private country residence in Gloucestershire.
Following the meeting, Harry, Markle and their kids are set to travel to Althorp, Princess Diana’s ancestral home, after being invited to stay by his uncle, Charles Spencer.
Markle and the children initially backed out of plans to visit the UK amid security concerns. Harry came alone, despite controversy surrounding where he would stay. Ahead of his arrival, it was reported that Buckingham Palace rescinded an offer for Harry to stay there, claiming he missed a deadline to accept the invitation.