As Prince Harry and Prince William prepare to honor their late mother, Princess Diana, at the Diana Legacy Awards tonight, a royal expert has claimed that the Duke of Sussex is attempting to patch things up with his older brother. The brotherly bond between the two has been strained in recent years, with Harry sharing private stories and disagreements with the world through his bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, his memoir "Spare," and his Netflix documentary alongside his wife, Meghan Markle.
According to royal expert and author Tom Quinn, who spoke to the Mirror, Meghan is feeling "massively conflicted" about what Harry should do next regarding his relationship with William. "She sees that he's bored at the moment and recognises that he's more of an asset to brand Sussex if he makes it up with William and Charles, but she's still very resistant. But then it's easier for her as she is on her home turf," Quinn said.
The expert added that Harry will "definitely be trying to make things up with his brother before he returns to the UK in May," knowing how bad it will look if he doesn't see his brother, especially considering Kate Middleton's recent illness. The Princess of Wales has been out of the public eye since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
Quinn also suggested that Harry has realized during his time in the United States that family feuds "did at least make life interesting." He quoted an old Irish saying, "strife is better than loneliness," and noted that without his family and family battles, Harry is lonely in the US. "He's been described as a, 'little boy lost,'" Quinn added.
The royal expert further elaborated on Harry's situation, stating, "He's bored and has very little to do and he's lost the only life he was trained for. Anything he can do to improve relations with his family can only be a good thing for him. And he has definitely had time to realise that writing Spare and giving interviews about how awful his life was with the royal family has not brought the apologies and the happiness he'd hoped for."
The Diana Legacy Awards, first introduced in 2017 to celebrate the life of Princess Diana on the 20th anniversary of her death, will be held at the Science Museum in London. Prince William is set to attend the event in person and deliver a speech, while Prince Harry will join virtually from his Montecito home. The awards are given to individuals aged between nine and 25 who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of others.
The joint appearance, albeit virtual, marks a rare occasion for the brothers, who have been at odds since around 2018. The event comes as Harry prepares to return to the UK in May for an Invictus Games service, as the government launches a £26 million bid to host the event in Birmingham in 2027.
The strain on the brothers' relationship has been well-documented, with Harry's revelations in his memoir and interviews causing further tension within the royal family. However, Quinn's insights suggest that the Duke of Sussex may be realizing the importance of mending his relationship with his brother and the rest of the family, not only for his own well-being but also for the sake of his and Meghan's brand.
As the royal family continues to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing rift, the Diana Legacy Awards serve as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Princess Diana and the importance of family bonds. The event also provides an opportunity for the brothers to come together, even if only virtually, and honor their mother's memory while potentially taking steps towards reconciliation.
