As Prince Harry prepares for his upcoming solo trip to the UK to attend an Invictus Games event, royal experts are weighing in on the strained relationship between the Duke of Sussex and his older brother, Prince William. According to author and royal expert Tom Quinn, Harry's "globe-trotting freedom" has sparked feelings of jealousy in the Prince of Wales, potentially souring any hopes of a reunion during the visit.
Quinn, speaking exclusively to The Mirror, said, "There has certainly been a shift in the relationship between Harry and his brother William and surprisingly there is even a bit of William that envies his brother's globe-trotting freedom." He noted that while William has always been more confident due to his role as a future monarch, Harry's ability to keep himself in the news, even for the wrong reasons, has become a thorn in the Royal Family's side.
The royal expert suggested that William is "a little jealous of Harry's ability to keep himself at the forefront of the news," and is "frustrated that he doesn't get the attention he should be getting." Quinn quoted a Kensington Palace source as saying, "William's view of Harry is that it's a case of the devil having all the best tunes," adding that the Prince of Wales feels he needs "a bit more edge to keep up with his little brother."
The comments come as Prince Harry is set to fly solo from California to London next week for the Invictus Games event, before jetting off to Nigeria with his wife, Meghan Markle, for an unofficial tour. The Duke's trip coincides with Princess Charlotte's ninth birthday, prompting speculation about whether he will have the opportunity to reconnect with his nieces and nephews during his visit.
However, royal commentator Helena Chard has warned that a reunion between Prince Harry and the Wales children is unlikely, claiming that Prince William would "not allow" his brother to rebuild bridges with them. Speaking on GB News, Chard said, "Wouldn't it be lovely if Princess Charlotte could have a lovely hug from her uncle Harry? But it's not going to happen. There's no way that Prince William will allow that."
Chard urged Prince Harry to use his UK visit as an opportunity to "mend bridges" with his family, suggesting that he needs to show "a little bit of willingness" to repair the damage caused by the rift. "There's been a lot of hurt there," she said, adding that while King Charles wants to see his "darling boy," Prince Harry needs to "give a little bit more" to mend the relationship.
The royal commentator also highlighted the potential role of the royal children in helping to heal the divide between the Sussexes and the Royal Family as they grow older and become more curious about their extended family. "As the children get older, they get more curious about their family - why haven't I met my cousins? Why haven't I met my uncle and his wife?" Chard said, expressing hope that the children's desire to connect with their relatives could help mend the relationship.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Chard emphasized the importance of resolving the family feud, warning that failure to do so could result in a "damaged generation." She called on King Charles to "give a little push" to encourage reconciliation between his sons and their families.
