The longstanding rift between Prince William and Prince Harry appears to be deepening, with new reports suggesting that the Prince of Wales is "spitting mad" at his younger brother for frequently referencing their late mother, Princess Diana, in the press. This latest development adds another layer of tension to a relationship already strained by Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from royal duties in 2020.
Prince Harry recently appeared in the ITV documentary "Tabloids on Trial," where he discussed his decision to launch a legal challenge against tabloid newspapers for their invasive practices, including phone hacking. Harry suggested that his mother, Princess Diana, had also been a victim of such tactics, though at the time, she was portrayed as paranoid by the media.
According to a source quoted by New Idea magazine via Sky News Australia, Prince William is furious about Harry's continued references to their mother. "William is spitting mad that Harry would reference [Princess Diana] again," the source claimed. "He's so fed up with [the Sussexes] cashing in on Diana's death." The source further alleged that Harry's obsession with his mother has intensified since marrying Meghan Markle.
The tension between the brothers is not new. Royal photographer Arthur Edwards recently reflected on their once-close bond, telling The Sun, "They were very close. I mean, they did everything together. They were just inseparable." However, he lamented, "It's no longer like that, I'm afraid."
The current friction appears to stem from a perceived betrayal of an agreement the brothers reportedly made after Diana's death in 1997. In a 2017 ITV interview, William said, "We won't be doing this again; we won't speak as openly or publicly about her again because we feel hopefully this film will provide the other side, from close family friends you might not have heard before, from those who knew her best, and from those who want to protect her memory and want to remind people of the person that she was."
Despite William's hope for reconciliation, the source noted that recent events have further eroded his trust in Harry. "William's getting to the point where he's washing his hands of Harry for good," the source said. This sentiment is echoed by others close to the royal family, who suggest that William's anger is exacerbated by Harry's perceived exploitation of their mother's legacy for financial gain.
The Sussexes' exclusion from the annual Balmoral summer retreat underscores the growing divide. Meghan and Harry were reportedly not invited to join the rest of the royal family at the Scottish estate, a tradition the couple has missed out on since moving to California.
Meanwhile, Harry continues to express concerns about security arrangements for his family during UK visits, which have reportedly gone unanswered by King Charles. This lack of communication has left Harry feeling increasingly isolated and desperate to protect his family. A friend of Harry's told PEOPLE magazine, "He gets 'unavailable right now' as a response. His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King's health, but those calls go unanswered too."
The royal feud, intensified by these personal and public grievances, shows no signs of abating. William's frustration with Harry's media appearances, especially those invoking Diana's memory, has reached a boiling point. As William grapples with his brother's actions, the possibility of reconciliation seems increasingly remote.
