Why 'Reconciliation May Never Happen' Between Brothers Prince William & Harry

The rift between the royal brothers remains unresolved, years after the younger sibling relocated abroad. Experts continue to dissect their turbulent bond, with one expert asserting that the Duke of Sussex holds little significance to his elder brother.

It has been several years since Prince Harry's relationship with the Royal Family—particularly his brother, Prince William—deteriorated, largely due to his marriage to Meghan Markle. One expert suggested that "reconciliation may never happen" between the two royal siblings.

This strained relationship has been a central theme in Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare," a title reflecting his role as the backup in the royal line of succession.

The memoir breaks away from royal conventions, delving deeply into Prince Harry's enduring sorrow over the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, and shedding light on his complex ties with his father, King Charles III; his stepmother, Queen Consort Camilla; and his brother, Prince William.

In his 2023 interview with Anderson Cooper, Prince Harry delved into the emotional and relational struggles detailed in "Spare." When asked about his candid observations of Prince William, Prince Harry dismissed the idea that his words were cutting.

Instead, he emphasized, "My brother and I love each other. I love him deeply. There has been a lot of pain between the two of us, especially the last six years."

The Prince clarified that his intention was not to hurt his family but to provide a complete picture of their experiences growing up while refuting the narrative that his wife, Markle, was responsible for the brothers' strained relationship.

Cooper acknowledged the global perception of the brothers as inseparable during their childhood but highlighted how Prince Harry's memoir reveals that their lives diverged dramatically after Princess Diana's tragic death.

The Duke of Sussex shared a tense moment from 2019 when an argument with Prince William turned physical at Prince Harry's Kensington Palace cottage. He described the confrontation as the result of the Prince of Wales' mounting frustrations, fueled by misinformation and tabloid stories.

"He snapped," Prince Harry recalled, explaining how his brother pushed him to the floor, causing him to cut his back on a dog bowl. While Prince William later apologized, the Duke chose not to share the incident with Markle until she noticed the injury herself.

When asked where their relationship stood, Prince Harry revealed they were not in contact but expressed hope for reconciliation. He also noted that communication with his father had been sparse and ruled out the possibility of resuming royal duties, saying, "I can't see that happening."

Despite the lingering tensions with his family, Prince Harry shared that he had found happiness in his new life with Markle in California. However, he admitted that his relationship with the royal family remained strained, especially with the Prince and Princess of Wales, who allegedly won't welcome them back.

The Duke believes the royal family owes him and Markle an apology, but reconciliation seems distant. According to a source in 2023, Kate Middleton has no intention of reconnecting with the Sussexes, stating, "There has been too much that has happened, and she's not ready yet."

Prince William, while reportedly more open to repairing the bond with his brother, remains hesitant to initiate contact. The insider noted, "William wants his relationship with his brother to improve, but they're not speaking right now," leaving the possibility of mending ties uncertain.

During the Sussexes' groundbreaking 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the host directly asked Prince Harry if any members of the royal family had reached out to apologize for the circumstances that led to his departure. His response was straightforward, he said, "No, sadly not."

The tension between Prince Harry and Prince William remains evident. This was shown by their interactions during the memorial service for Princess Diana's brother-in-law, Lord Fellowes, in August 2024.

According to former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole, the brothers did not acknowledge each other during the event, with Cole describing their interactions as "invisible" and the atmosphere as frosty.

The Reverend Dan Tansey, who conducted the service at St. Mary’s Church in Norfolk, confirmed that the brothers arrived separately, sat apart, and left with a noticeable gap between them. While the reception afterward was cordial, the vicar did not recall the Princes speaking to one another.

"As things are at present, reconciliation may never happen, such is the hurt Prince William feels at his brother's betrayals and snipes in interviews, a television series, and his ghost-written book "Spare," said Cole.

The rift between Prince William and Prince Harry appears unlikely to heal soon, with trust issues cited as a significant obstacle. Royal expert, Edward Coram-James, explained in a November 2024 interview that Prince Harry's criticisms of the royal family in his memoir "Spare" and Netflix docuseries have caused "deep scars" that are difficult to repair.

While some hoped health challenges faced by Middleton and King Charles might encourage a reunion, Coram-James noted that the "cracks... run deeper than public perception often realizes."

He also suggested that Prince William's focus on his future role as king may prevent him from prioritizing reconciliation, while Prince Harry's public disclosures have further strained their bond, making trust hard to rebuild.

Meanwhile, another royal expert, Duncan Larcombe, weighed in on the matter highlighting the steep challenges Prince Harry faces in rebuilding trust. Larcombe explained that the royals prioritize discretion, and the Duke's actions have violated their "number #1 rule" of not exposing the institution.

"As far as we know, William is still very upset by his brother's behavior and has broken that trust," he said, comparing such breaches to a one-strike policy often resulting in permanent estrangement.

While Larcombe acknowledged that reconciliation is "possible" and Prince William and Middleton may keep tabs on the Duke and Duchess's activities, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond emphasized the depth of the divide. Speaking to Times Radio in December 2024, she remarked, "I think as far as William is concerned, Harry really doesn't exist."

Opinions online about a potential reconciliation between the two remain divided. One user claimed Prince Harry "tore his family apart" and expected pity, but his actions backfired. Another suggested forgiveness might be possible but felt the Sussexes' behavior made a reunion unlikely. Meanwhile, others doubt a reunion due to ongoing resentment and recent fallout.

The divide between Prince William and Prince Harry remains a major challenge for the royal family, rooted in broken trust and public disclosures. While reconciliation is possible, deep scars from Harry's actions and William’s focus on his royal role make it unlikely. The brothers’ path to peace remains distant and uncertain.