EXCLUSIVE: The Prince of Wales is unlikely to see his estranged younger brother when the Sussexes arrive in Britain in the coming days, but according to one royal expert, the visit will still have a major impact on the Royal Family
Estranged brothers William and Harry(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Prince Harry is just hours away from touching down in the UK for a rare trip, with his family – wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet – potentially in tow. It would mark the Sussex’s first family trip to Britain in four years with Harry and Meghan said to be heading to Birmingham to celebrate the official one year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.
It is believed that Harry and potentially his family could meet with King Charles while in the UK, as Harry continues to make moves to mend his relationship with his father after years of estrangement. However, the same cannot be said for Harry’s older brother Prince William.
Harry and William’s relationship, according to the Mirror ’s royal editor Russell Myers, is “the worst it has ever been” as the Prince of Wales remains “deeply hurt” by Harry’s years of accusations levelled at the Firm.
And now, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes William would be doing his best to distract himself from Harry’s impending visit, in order to protect the peace of his family- though it won’t be easy
Jennie told the Mirror: “I think William has worked hard at simply putting Harry out of his mind so that he can focus on his family and his job. But now, with all the headlines and speculation about the visit, he can’t really avoid it. It’s the school holidays, so William and the family can presumably take refuge somewhere away from all the hullabaloo.”
While Jennie acknowledged that it is highly unlikely Harry and William will see each other during the trip due to ongoing tensions, she believes the Duke of Sussex‘s potential meeting with his father will be instrumental in a royal reconciliation in the years down the line.
“I think it’s still too early to anticipate any sort of meeting between the brothers,” Jennie said, “but if the visit does go ahead and the children meet the King, it could conceivably be the start of a thaw in the ice between William and Harry. But I wouldn’t take any bets on it.
“Trust is still a major issue for William, who is a very private man. He is also a very protective, loving husband who was enraged by the insults and allegations hurled at Catherine by the Sussexes. I’m not sure he will ever find a way to forgive his brother for that.”
The Sussex’s trip has been rife with indecision, as it was announced that the whole family would be coming to Harry’s home country, before it was then revealed that Meghan, Archie and Lilibet may not be joining the prince due to ongoing issues around Harry’s police protection while on UK shores.
And as Jennie explained, the Prince of Wales – while he is still very much at odds with his brother – would likely be feeling sympathy for Harry as a fellow father whose main aim is to keep his family safe from outside threats.
Jennie said: “William must surely have been paying attention to the row over Harry’s security. He could hardly avoid it. I would have thought it was one area in which he might have a measure of sympathy for his brother.
“He knows just how important it is to protect your family. Like me, he might wonder why the decision has been taken not to give Harry and his family security for this very short period of time. But, obviously, this is a decision which he cannot and would not get involved in.”
With the King hopefully set to reunite with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren for the first time in several years, the royal expert said that this emotional reunion could hold the key to Harry and William having a meaningful reconciliation, although that could still be some time in the future.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that the King would love his sons to mend their rift,” Jennie said. “Remember how Harry claimed his father had pleaded with them not to make his final years a misery? I think Catherine is by nature a peacemaker, but she knows, too, that William can be incredibly stubborn.
“And, in the end, it will be up to William to decide whether he wants to patch things up with his brother. I suppose it could start with the odd text or birthday card one day. But as I have said, trust is the important factor here. And, as yet, I do not think that William trusts Harry or Meghan.”
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