The royal family has long been a symbol of unity, but recent tensions have put that image to the test. Over the years, the bond between Prince William and Prince Harry has unraveled, particularly after Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle. The once inseparable brothers now find themselves at odds, with little hope of reconciliation, according to insiders.
The relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family has been strained for quite some time. The rift between Harry and William, which began subtly, has escalated into a significant divide. This was evident as early as 2019, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were subjected to intense media scrutiny, which Harry claimed had a racial undertone. Meghan, in particular, expressed her distress over the constant criticism from British tabloids. For Harry, these attacks echoed the trauma of losing his mother, Princess Diana, at a young age. He feared that Meghan could meet the same tragic fate due to relentless media pressure.
By the end of that year, the relationship between the brothers had noticeably soured. In 2019, during an argument, Harry revealed that William became physically aggressive, which led to a scuffle. According to Harry, this confrontation was more than just sibling rivalry—it was a defense of Meghan, who had been the subject of William’s frustrations.
The media’s portrayal of Meghan played a significant role in this growing tension. Her background as an American, biracial, divorced actress reportedly made some members of the royal family uneasy. Although Harry defended his wife, William remained skeptical. Over time, their differences widened, culminating in Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, which caught the royal family—and particularly William—off guard.
Since their departure, Harry and Meghan have made several public statements that have further strained their relationship with the royal family. During their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan claimed that Kate, the Princess of Wales, had made her cry, and hinted at racial tensions within the family. While Meghan refrained from naming specific individuals, these revelations only deepened the rift.
Prince William has mostly remained silent on these accusations, with one notable exception when he denied claims of racism within the family, stating, “We are very much not a racist family.” Despite his brief public response, sources close to the royals indicate that William’s anger runs deep. The fear of further betrayals looms large, making any potential reconciliation seem unlikely.
Kate, Princess of Wales, is reportedly even less inclined to mend fences. According to insiders, too much damage has been done, and she has no desire to rebuild ties with Harry and Meghan. William, too, is wary of any reconciliation, fearing that private conversations could be leaked to the press or included in future tell-all books.
Despite Harry’s continued presence at family events, such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the chances of healing the divide remain slim. Some royal insiders have stated that until Harry and Meghan issue an apology for their public accusations, there will be no reunion.
Public opinion also seems to reflect this sentiment. Many believe that as long as Harry remains married to Meghan, a full reconciliation with his brother and the rest of the royal family is unlikely.