Prince Harry's strained relationship with Prince William has taken another blow as royal commentators suggest the heir to the throne will never forgive his younger brother for remarks targeting Princess Catherine, while William himself made a rare public reflection on their shared past.
A new Channel 5 documentary, Prince Harry: My Terrible Year, features biographers and analysts who argue that Harry's criticisms of his sister-in-law crossed a line. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told viewers, "He rubbished Kate for money he didn't even need - that will not be easily forgiven." Another commentator said, "For William, Harry crossed a line that can't be undone - he tore down Catherine for financial gain he wasn't desperate for."
The program highlights Harry's past claims that Kate made Meghan Markle cry during wedding preparations and his accounts of a physical altercation with William. Analysts in the film contend that such revelations deepened divisions within the family and hardened William's position. A royal insider said: "Each time Harry has gone public, particularly when Catherine was drawn in, it's pushed him further from William. For William, criticism of his wife crosses a line, which is why forgiving him seems out of reach."
The estrangement has unfolded as Harry and Meghan face mounting pressure over their post-royal ventures. Their Netflix partnership, initially touted as a $100 million deal, has drawn lukewarm reception. Harry's polo documentary was criticized as "boring" by The Guardian and "a dull indulgence" by Decider, while Meghan's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan ranked only 383rd globally with 5.3 million viewers. Variety described it as "an ego trip not worth taking."
Despite efforts to rebrand, commentators in the documentary said Harry's identity remains tied to his royal background, with Meghan's appeal similarly limited beyond her acting career. Critics warned that without fresh revelations about the monarchy, the couple's media ventures may struggle to retain audience interest.
Against this backdrop, William, 43, made a rare comment on his brother during an interview with Eugene Levy on The Reluctant Traveler. Speaking about preparing Prince George for his eventual role as king, William said: "That is caveated with, I hope we don't go back to some of the practices in the past, that Harry and I had to grow up in, and I'll do everything I can to make sure we don't regress in that situation."
William's remarks reflect an awareness of their difficult childhood under public scrutiny. Yet his comments come as the two brothers have had minimal contact in recent years. Their last public interaction was at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022, more than three years ago.
Meanwhile, Harry's ties with his father King Charles III also remain fragile. The pair reunited for tea in September at Charles's London residence, marking their first meeting in 19 months. Asked later about his father, who revealed a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Harry said, "Yes, he's great, thank you," according to Sky News.
Polling in the U.K. continues to show Harry among the least favored royals, while William has sought to position himself as a modernizing figure preparing his children for a monarchy less bound by past mistakes.
