In the wake of Princess Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis announcement, the royal family has been grappling with not only the health crisis but also the complex dynamics between Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry. According to royal expert and author Tom Quinn, William's response to Harry's message of support for Kate was "engineered by the palace" and lacked the warmth and informality one would expect between brothers, as reported by the Mirror.
Following the Princess of Wales' revelation that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a statement expressing their well wishes. "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the statement read.
It was later reported by ITV royal editor Chris Ship that Prince Harry had "reached out to his brother" after learning of Kate's cancer, with both Harry and Meghan having been in touch with the Waleses privately. However, Quinn suggests that the nature of William's response was far from the "warm, informal" exchange one might anticipate.
"Harry and Meghan have been in contact with William, but their private message was simply one of sympathy and didn't include any suggestion the brothers should make up and let bygones be bygones or that Harry should fly back to the UK soon," Quinn exclusively told The Mirror. He added, "There is just too much ill-feeling for that. William, who is still hurt by everything Harry has said in the past, has responded, but the response is very much engineered by the palace and it's hardly the kind of warm, informal response you would expect from one brother to another. It's more like the sort of communication you would get between two slightly wary diplomats."
The revelation of the palace's involvement in crafting William's response to Harry's message of support underscores the ongoing tensions between the brothers, despite the shared bond of compassion within the royal family during this challenging time. The public scrutiny surrounding the Sussexes' relationship with the rest of the royal family has only intensified in the wake of Kate's diagnosis, leaving the Princess of Wales to navigate her health battle amidst familial and public pressures.
In her statement announcing her diagnosis, Kate Middleton expressed gratitude for her medical team's care and the support of her family, particularly her husband, Prince William. "Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too, as is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you," she said.
The Princess also acknowledged the strain the news has placed on her family, particularly their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. "It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK," she shared.
As the royal family rallies around Kate during her cancer treatment, the persistent tensions between William and Harry serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play within the monarchy. While the Sussexes' gesture of solidarity underscores a collective hope for Kate's recovery, the palace's involvement in shaping William's response to his brother's message of support suggests that the rift between the brothers remains a significant challenge, even in the face of a family health crisis.
