Years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties, the strained relationship between Harry and Prince William continues to draw scrutiny, with a royal expert arguing that the Princess of Wales remains one of the most sensitive issues preventing reconciliation. While neither Kensington Palace nor the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has commented on the latest analysis, the remarks underscore how public disclosures made over recent years continue to shape perceptions of the royal family's internal divisions.
The latest assessment comes from Pauline Maclaran, professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, and co-author of Royal Fever. Speaking about the continuing estrangement between the brothers, Maclaran suggested the disagreement now extends beyond personal differences and has become intertwined with William's role as heir to the British throne.
Maclaran said William's approach is "likely to be a mixture of both" personal and institutional concerns. She argued that the Prince of Wales may believe he has a responsibility to protect the monarchy from being "further disrespected or monetized by the couple for their own ends."
Beyond constitutional considerations, Maclaran said trust between the brothers appears to have eroded after a series of public interviews, documentaries and publications discussing private family matters.
She also suggested there remain "personal issues too and a lack of trust in his brother." Her remarks represent her analysis rather than confirmation of William's private views.
According to Maclaran, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has become an important factor in the continuing divide. She said William is "understandably alleged to still be very angry with his younger sibling," arguing that Harry and Meghan's public comments over the past several years "also implicated Catherine in various ways," something she believes William would find "very hard to overlook."
The Princess of Wales has been referenced in several public accounts involving tensions inside the Royal Family, including Harry and Meghan's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple's 2022 Netflix documentary series and Harry's memoir, Spare, published in 2023. Senior members of the Royal Family have generally declined to publicly respond to those specific claims.
The breakdown in relations dates back to the Sussexes' decision to step away from official royal duties in 2020. Since then, Harry and Meghan have established independent careers through media ventures, charitable initiatives and commercial partnerships while continuing to discuss aspects of their experiences inside the monarchy.
Royal commentators have frequently contrasted Harry's independent public role with William's constitutional responsibilities as the future king. As heir to the throne, William is widely viewed as carrying responsibility not only for family relationships but also for preserving public confidence in the institution he is expected to lead.
Speculation about reconciliation has continued throughout King Charles III's reign. Some reports have suggested the King remains interested in maintaining communication with Harry, while others have portrayed William as taking a more cautious approach. None of those reports has been officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace or Kensington Palace.
Previous media reports have also suggested Catherine has privately encouraged a less confrontational relationship between the brothers, although those accounts likewise remain unverified. Maclaran's latest comments indicate she believes rebuilding trust remains the principal obstacle to any meaningful reconciliation.
