Former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter has exposed the deep-rooted divide between Prince William and Prince Harry, revealing how contrasting childhoods have shaped their current feud. Speaking on the Express's Royals Unscripted, Arbiter, who served as press spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth II from 1988 to 2000, cast doubt on whether the brothers will ever reconcile.
Two very different people
Arbiter, 86, compared how each brother copes with the legacy of their late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. "They are brothers, but they are two very different people," he said. "Harry still mourns in public; he still uses his mother's name as an excuse for whatever he does. William gets on with the job; William mourns in private, which is the right thing to do."
He delivered a blunt verdict on the prospect of reconciliation: "Quite frankly, I can't see the brothers making up anytime soon."
Childhood personalities
Reflecting on watching the young princes grow up, Arbiter recalled their defining characteristics. "What I saw back then when they were growing up, William was very shy. I remember on one occasion Diana gave a reception for her charity workers at Kensington Palace and she asked William to make a speech and thank them for coming. He was only about nine or 10 at the time and he did it, and Diana was very proud."
He then discussed Prince Harry's rebellious streak: "Harry was all very gung-ho and very chatty and quite naughty," he said. "They were different then and they are very different now."
Contrasting paths
Arbiter highlighted how William has stepped into his royal destiny, while claiming Harry appears guided by Meghan Markle: "William is serious; he enjoys fun, he enjoys his family, he enjoys his children, and he's very much there in support of the King - because one day that's going to be his role. Harry is Harry; Harry does what he's told, what his wife tells him to do."
Despite speculation about Harry's UK appearances, Arbiter predicted the couple's long-term future will move back to America after major milestones pass. "I would hazard a guess that come the completion of the Invictus Games and the 30th anniversary of his mother's death, that they might well go back to America," he predicted.
