Prince William “has no intention of engaging” with Prince Harry, despite his estranged brother's plea for reconciliation. The Prince of Wales is committed to his public role and sees no scenario in the future where he would restore the fractured relationship with his brother, sources close to the heir have said.
Harry's Reconciliation Plea
Prince Harry this week suggested that “some people don't want” him to repair his once close bonds with his family, following his departure from royal life. Harry and his wife Meghan quit their royal roles in March 2020 to pursue a range of big money deals in the commercial world, including a tell-all series on Netflix and his bombshell memoir.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated in August from their home in California to Britain, with Harry revealing that the family moved back for “opportunities”, such as having their children educated in the UK. However, the couple have had only sporadic contact with the King and have not spoken to the Prince and Princess of Wales for years.
William's Stance
A source close to William said: "There isn't a world right now where the Prince of Wales can imagine repairing the relationship with his brother. He remains deeply hurt over the many things the Duke of Sussex has said publicly about him and other family members."
The source added: "Look at what the family is doing just this week: a significantly important State Visit, commemorating the tragedy that occurred in Aberfan 60 years ago, and preparations being made for major royal tours in the immediate future. This is what matters to the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the King and Queen - and that certainly doesn't include responding to the Duke of Sussex every time he pops up doing yet another interview."
Harry's Interview and Family Caution
Harry made the comments during an on-camera interview with GQ, which was recorded in late September but released yesterday on the day senior royals welcomed the Sultan of Oman to a state visit at Windsor Castle. Harry, who moved his family back to the UK in August, said his attitude had changed and that he felt "optimistic" about his return.
Asked whether he was grieving over the complicated relationship with his brother and father, Harry said: "Yes, of course." He then described complicated family dynamics as a "massively relatable issue" for so many people. "Some people don't want it to work out. I want it to work out," he said. "Of course I do. With everything else that's going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile - that's the key point."
Royal sources have revealed that despite Harry and Meghan now living in the UK, the royal family remain incredibly cautious over engaging with him after the controversies of the last few years, including the Sussexes' decision to take part in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey and produce a documentary series on Netflix where they bemoaned their treatment by the institution.
Harry was asked whether he thought he could repair his relationships with the King and William, responding: "Of course. Scars stick around forever. But what your perception is, and what your mindset is to those things that have happened, certainly letting go of the past, that's something that I would encourage everybody to do."
The source added: "Harry was advised in no uncertain terms to cease making public statements about issues which are deeply private. The way things are right now, he (William) has no intention of engaging with Harry."
A spokesman for the Sussexes said it was GQ's decision to publish the interview yesterday, adding that Harry's comments were "absolutely not intended as a swipe at his brother or any other member of his family. The comment was made in a general context and was not directed at his family in any way."
