Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's homecoming to Britain has placed them firmly in the spotlight, with speculation mounting over a potential reconciliation with the Royal Family - particularly between the Duke of Sussex and his brother, Prince William.
The two royal brothers, who were once remarkably close in the wake of their mother Princess Diana's tragic death, are understood not to have mended their fractured bond since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their duties as senior working royals and departed Britain six years ago.
Ongoing Rift
Following Megxit, as the couple's exit became known, Harry and Meghan participated in multiple prominent interviews discussing their period as working royals, during which they made various allegations against the monarchy.
They also featured in their own Netflix documentary series, Finding Freedom, chronicling their journey, while Harry released his autobiography, Spare, in which he recounted his life as a Royal Family member, including purported disputes with his brother.
In recent months, the Duke of Sussex is understood to have begun rebuilding his connection with his father, King Charles, during visits to Britain, though his bond with William continues to be troubled, reports the Daily Star.
Royal Family's Stance
The King and Prince of Wales were informed simultaneously about Meghan and Harry's intentions to return to the UK and are reported to be in "complete agreement" that a 'half in, half out' arrangement within the monarchy is not feasible.
William and Catherine are also understood to be eager to sidestep any "drama", with a source close to the couple suggesting they will "ignore" the matter entirely in order to avoid escalating tensions.
This follows King Charles issuing a formal letter outlining the position Harry and Meghan now occupy following their return to the United Kingdom.
In it he said: "It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
"The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity."
The letter further emphasises that the couple's HRH titles remain suspended and are not to be used in any official capacity. According to Palace sources, the King's letter has been dispatched to Prince Harry's team, government departments, military officials and Lord Lieutenants.
Sussexes' Reaction
The correspondence appears to have caught Harry and Meghan off guard. A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess said: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance."
In addition to noting they were "surprised", the Sussexes' spokesperson indicated the statement had blindsided the couple. In response to their reaction, Palace officials told the Daily Mail the claim was "incorrect", insisting the couple had received the letter prior to its public release, though they had not been consulted on its contents.
William's Warning
Despite the growing rift between the two brothers, William is said to have been overjoyed when Harry first met Meghan, though he did issue his brother with a stern warning about the relationship.
In his book, William and Catherine: An Intimate Inside Story, Mirror royal editor details how relations between the brothers began to deteriorate.
According to the book, before their romance became public knowledge, Harry had summoned the courage to share his secret with his family. Meghan had executed a flawless curtsy to the Queen and managed to win over William, even if he felt slightly uncomfortable receiving a hug upon her arrival.
Catherine described Meghan as "friendly", albeit erring on the side of somewhat over-friendly, with a 'touch of California' about her.
However, as the relationship developed and scrutiny of the future Duchess of Sussex intensified, Harry grew increasingly furious at how she was being treated, according to Myers.
Without consulting his father or brother, as protocol would ordinarily dictate, he instructed the Kensington Palace communications team to respond, highlighting "a wave of abuse and harassment ... the racial undertones of comment pieces".
Harry was incensed when his father and brother criticised him for his actions, and the heated exchanges left him astounded that his own family were unwilling to offer their support, the book reveals. Myers describes how this period signalled an outward shift in their relationship.
It became increasingly difficult to arrange joint meetings, with both offering different reasons as to why they were unable – or possibly unwilling – to attend together.
The book alleges William cautioned his brother about how quickly the relationship was developing, encouraging him to proceed more carefully. However, being smitten, he wasn't receptive to the advice.
A source revealed: "It's easy to forget now, given everything that has gone on, but William did find Meghan quite refreshing at first. He was genuinely happy for Harry and only wanted the best for him.
"Meghan made him happy and if she had been prepared to take a chance on their relationship, then he certainly would have never stood in their way. If there was one thing he was uneasy about, it was a clash of styles. He definitely saw it as a potential problem on the horizon."
