In the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from their senior royal roles and subsequent relocation to California, tensions within the British royal family remain palpable. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to raise their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in the U.S. has not only distanced them geographically but also emotionally from their royal relatives.
While Prince Harry has expressed hopes that his children will one day bond with their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, insiders believe that a reconciliation between the two royal households is not on the horizon. Jennie Bond, a royal commentator, opined that Prince William and Kate Middleton are unlikely to "make peace" solely for the sake of their children. Bond stated, "He [Harry] does care about his U.K. family, and I'm sure he would like his children to hang out with their little cousins and to better understand their heritage. But I don't think the two families will reunite simply for the sake of the children."
In his memoir titled "Spare," Prince Harry fondly reminisced about his role as an uncle, expressing his excitement about teaching his nephew, Prince George, about various aspects of life. However, the memoir also highlighted the strained relationship between the brothers. Bond noted that Prince William is acutely aware of Harry's absence, especially for his children, who have lost their "Uncle Harry."
The depiction of Prince William in "Spare" has reportedly been a significant point of contention. Katie Nicholl, another royal commentator, revealed that Prince William was particularly upset with how he was portrayed in the memoir, especially the anecdote about a physical altercation between the brothers. "Prince William is still incredibly upset with Harry's autobiography, which, of course, really cast William in a pretty bad light," Nicholl said.
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who once shared a close bond with Prince Harry, is also said to be deeply hurt by some of the revelations in the memoir. Nicholl stated, "I think Kate, Princess of Wales, she's always always had a very close relationship with Prince Harry, but she's been left quite devastated by some of the anecdotes that Harry told in Spare that didn't cast her in a particularly good light."
As the royal family continues to grapple with the aftermath of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decisions and revelations, the possibility of mending fences seems increasingly remote. The deep sense of betrayal felt by members of the royal family, particularly Prince William and Kate Middleton, suggests that the path to reconciliation will be long and arduous.
