Prince William will take a long time to recover from being "deeply hurt" by his brother, according to royal author Andrew Morton, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to return to the UK after six years away.
Royal-watchers were stunned when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to relocate from the US to an undisclosed private, non-royal residence outside London later this month.
Speed of move surprises royal expert
Andrew Morton, author of a controversial 1992 biography of Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, says it comes as little surprise that Harry is heading back to the UK, having sent numerous "smoke signals" regarding a possible reconciliation throughout the past year.
However, he adds: "What is surprising is the speed with which they've moved... I find it amazing that they've chosen schools, somewhere to live. move the whole place out without sticking their toe in the water first."
Although some progress may have been made with his father King Charles, Harry could find it considerably more difficult to patch things up with William due to his criticism of the Royal Family while his wife, Princess Catherine, and the King were both battling cancer.
William 'felt utterly abandoned'
Speaking on Times Radio, Andrew said: "I think William has been deeply hurt by what Harry wrote and said about him, especially given the medical condition of Catherine and his father.
"This is a word I would like to use in relation to this relationship. William felt utterly abandoned and that word was used by someone very close to William. I think it's going to take a long, long time for him to recover from that."
Harry and Meghan's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have reportedly been enrolled in British schools. It is understood the Sussexes won't be residing in royal residences and their status will remain unchanged, rather than a "half-in-half-out" arrangement.
King informed of plans
The King, who is still living with cancer, was first informed of the development on Sunday, merely three days before it became public knowledge, but is understood to welcome the prospect of seeing more of the family both privately and personally.
He met with Harry and his family in July, during the Duke of Sussex's visit to the country to commemorate one year until his Invictus Games begins in Birmingham. Relations have seemingly improved with his father.
Andrew believes Harry will flourish by returning to his homeland. He said: "He's back with his friends, his family... members of his family that he still gets on with, obviously not William, and he can do his charity work.
"He's got the Invictus Games coming up in Birmingham next year. That's going to take a lot of organising. So, he's a happy camper."
William, meanwhile, is said to still be "smouldering with anger" at his brother over what was said during their six-year separation, according to BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.
Prior to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's bombshell announcement, Jennie predicted that we would see more of Harry in the UK: "He wants more of a foothold here and less drama. It’s a novel idea because Harry and drama have walked hand in hand for the past few years.
"Much of that has been of his own making, but next year is going to be a flashpoint because it will be the 30th anniversary of the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. All eyes will be on two warring brothers.
"Will William and Harry finally stand side by side at such a poignant memorial event – several are expected to be organised by charity The Diana Award – or will their bitter estrangement continue? Either scenario will be a drama."
