The Royal Family could be facing a fresh "PR crisis" as Prince Harry prepares to return to Britain — unless Prince William takes one important step. Former Sun editor David Yelland believes the bitter feud between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex could dominate coverage of the Royal Family for years if the brothers fail to show any sign of reconciliation.
"This is one of the biggest news stories in the world: the schism between William and Harry," he said, arguing that Harry's return means the issue will become impossible for the Royal Family to escape.
William urged to reach out
"Every single thing they do, wherever William goes, he will be asked about this because Harry is back in the neighbourhood," he told BBC Breakfast.
Yelland said the brothers do not need to stage an emotional reunion in front of the cameras. "We don't need cuddles, we don't need posed-up photos, we just need a briefing that they have met," he said.
"This is a real PR crisis for the Royal Family. William has to reach out. If he doesn't, we are going to be talking about this every day for years, and it's going to become a reputational threat."
Harry and Meghan's return
The warning comes as Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to return to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after six years living in the US.
Their return brings Harry much closer to William physically, but royal experts have warned that it does not necessarily mean the brothers are any closer emotionally. The prospect of Harry establishing a new life in Britain has already raised concerns about the possibility of two competing royal centres.
The Duke's relationship with King Charles appears to have warmed in recent months, with Harry and Meghan having reunited with the King privately at Highgrove. However, the relationship with William remains considerably more difficult.
Hopes for reconciliation
Harry has previously made clear that he wants to repair his relationship with his family. In an interview last year, he said: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight any more, life is precious."
But William has given little indication that he is ready to put the past behind him. The brothers' relationship has deteriorated since Harry and Meghan left Britain, with the Sussexes making a series of public revelations about royal life through interviews, their Netflix series and Harry's memoir Spare.
One royal source has described Harry's return as potentially providing the "best opportunity" for the family to begin healing, simply because reconciliation is much harder when the brothers are separated by an ocean. But that could also put William in an uncomfortable position.
Every royal engagement could now prompt questions about Harry. Every appearance could lead to speculation over whether the brothers have met. And any perceived snub could generate another round of headlines. For the Prince of Wales, who is expected to remain focused on his royal duties and his family, that could become an unwanted distraction. And that is why Yelland believes William may ultimately have to act.
